Becoming Like Christ

Love is a commandment. ??John? ?15:12? ?NKJV

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

??I am to love my husband the way Jesus loves me not the way he loves me. and he the same.

This love is not only for husband and wife, is for parents / children, siblings / pastors / congregation.

Love is not emotional. It is not based on feelings. That is while many people fall out of love. human emotions and feelings are never stable, they are affected by current events, situations, circumstances, hormonal changes etc. therefore any love based on this level will equally be unstable.

Seeking or expressing love based on emotion, is the cause for instability. Take for example a church. Say I come to church today, service was good, music enjoyable, people were really nice to me, we go home happy. We have had an emotional experience . Then I say that church is very loving. That is good. every church should be like that, but we know that, that will not always be the case.. The next time I come and things did not really go the way I expected, somebody offended us, during the week you were sick and nobody called because of these events you feel unloved. That week you don’t turn up because you did not feel loved, and so it continues. And on and on it goes. These are emotional love. They are in today, out tomorrow.

The cure for instability in all relationship particular the very important once’s, i.e God, marriages, children, parents, relatives is to understand that love is not a feeling but a sacrifice. Whether good or bad I am determine to keep loving irrespective of my feelings. Love never comes to an end 1cor 13:8

Then what is Love? Love Is a thing of the will. Is an act. Is a fruit that the Holy Spirt produces in willing children of God who are Holy Ghost filled as they strive to walk in love.

Love is a covenant with God to give yourself sacrificially for the benefit of another without thought of reward from that person. Ruth gave herself sacrificially to Naomi without thought of reward (Ruth 1:16-17). The willing sacrificial giving of oneself for the benefit of another.

??John? ?21:15-17? ?NLT??

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these? ” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

Therefore Love: = is a sacrifice: it is the giving up of a valued thing for the sake of something else more important, worthy and urgent. When I consider others more important, more worthy and their needs more urgent than mine, only then I can begin to work in love. Others first before me that is scarifying me for them, that it love.

The willing sacrificial giving of oneself for the benefit of another without thought of return. John 3:16.

Luke 6:35-36. Jesus on the cross is love. Love is death, is pain, is suffering initially then comes the reward. ??Luke? ?6:35-36? ?NLT??

““Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”

Joy: gladness of heart. Deep pleasure

Peace: quite, tranquility of mind. Free from worry and fear, Agitating passions and moral conflict. freedom from or cessation of war. Mental calmness.

Long suffering: not a quick fix. (Microwave) not in strife but patient with others. Bearing provocation patiently. = endurance.

To be patient means = Quietly bearing injury. bearing provocation, annoyance, pain, etc., without complaint or anger.

Kindness: gentle and considerate in conduct and manner towards others.

Goodness: virtue, excellent character, generosity. the quality of being morally good or virtuous.

Virtue is morale excellence. No gossiping, backbiting, lying, belittling of others. Have only praise and good recommendation about others. Looking only on their strength and not their weaknesses.

Faithfulness: dependability. 1 Cor 4:2. It is required of stewards to be found faithful. We are stewards of God’s resources. Time, money, people, talents.

Gentleness, humility or meekness: power under control. Courtesy = respect = consideration in my relationship with others. Leaders must never exercise their powers for destructive purposes.