Elder M. Edmunds
Co-Pastor of United Ordained Church
February 2003
“Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.”
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, pinned this text for the churches in Asia as well as for the congregation at Ephesus to instruct them how to conduct themselves as dear children of God.
Here Paul uses the word “children” for a particular reason. Paul is drawing attention to the positive qualities that “most children” posses. For “most children” are more trusting and loving than most adults. Children are more apt to forgive and become humble than those who chronologically age through bad experiences that life presents.
For instance, two children may argue and say unkind things to each other at school or around the neighborhood at one moment of the day. However, before school is out that day or before the day is done, they will probably have their arms around each other and be best friends again! And they will treat each other as if they never did anything wrong. Now tell me what adult in this age exemplifies this trait of pure forgiveness. For we struggle as adults with un-forgiveness and bitterness.
These two negative behaviors we posses as adults have destroyed families, friends, opportunities, and destines.
Jesus exclaimed with words of warning as He taught His disciples how to pray, and it most be a “reminder” to us who struggle with these enemies of un-forgiveness and bitterness which cripple our youth, devastates our relationships, close the door to opportunities, and detour us from our destines. That “If ye forgive men their trespasses (their reckless and willful sins and violations, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment), your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
So, we most be like most of our children, treating one another as if no wrong was done so that we can find forgiveness for our own wrongs that we committed against our family, our children, our associates, ourselves, and our God. Therefore, in the refreshing mist of forgiveness, we can enjoy life as God intended for us as we journey through this life exemplifying the love, which our Father demonstrated in Christ Jesus.
For Christ Jesus was spat upon, ridiculed and reviled, mocked and rejected, for doing no wrong to others. And He said with all purity, “Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do.”
Moreover, because of His choice to forgive and not arbor bitterness and resentment, He conquered the enemy of death, hell, and the grave.
Now He sets in the place of honor enjoying the fellowship of His Father and He is now interceding for us to be loosed from un-forgiveness and bitterness so we can conquer the true enemies of our soul and enjoy the real experience of peace, joy, love, and property as dear children of God.
Not only did Paul address the churches of Asia as dear children, he also encouraged them to walk in love. This is our theme for this blessed day, “Perfecting God’s love.”
As dear children, how do we perfect or develop God’s love if we do not know the true sense or meaning of love. This is our task today; to know what is true love, who is love, and why should we develop love in our heart and in our conduct.
For if we understand these three aspects of love, we can be children of purpose and prominence, children who understand the meaning of life and who will conquer every adversary who attempts to thwart us from achieving our dreams and entering into our divine destinies.
1. What is the meaning of love?
Our society trivializes love by superficially maw-king it as just an emotion. The love we hear about in popular songs is almost always portrayed as a feeling—usually involving unfilled desire.
Most love songs describe love as a longing, a passion, a craving that is never quite satisfied, and a set of expectations that are never met. Unfortunately, that sort of love is devoid of any ultimate meaning. It is actually a tragic reflection of human lost-ness.
Most love songs not only reduce love to an emotion, but they also make it an involuntary one. People claim they “fall” in love. They get “swept off their feet” by love. They can’t help themselves. They go “crazy” for love. And there are those who claim, “I’m hooked on a feeling,” while others confess, “I think I’m going out of my head” just because of an emotional sensation.
However, Paul admonishes the congregation of Ephesus as well as us to walk in love. This word love is not what our society portrays nor is it what we desire for our children.
For love is not a superficial expression nor is it an emotion. Love isn’t an uncontrolled passion that leaves you pregnant and abandon.
Love is not rebellious nor is it disrespectful to those in authority, nor to those who are responsible for our well being.
Love does not deprive a life by placing a gun to ones head, nor does love neglect, abuse, and curses another out.
However, love, according to Scripture, is a state of being. Love is a purposeful act of self-giving. The one who genuinely loves is deliberately devoted or strongly committed to the one loved.
Parents if you really love your children, devote your time in showing them and not just telling them, you love them.
And children, if you really love your parents, “obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.”
Don’t allow disobedience and disrespect to put a wedge between those who are responsible in helping you to achieve your given purposes. Furthermore, don’t allow disobedience and disrespect prevent you from achieving your dreams and opening doors of opportunity for your enhancement.
Proverbs 1:8 declares, “My son (our my children), hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” Jesus even went further and brought clarity to His audience (which were the scribes & Pharisees) in Matt. 15:4 concerning disrespect or dishonor. For He said, God commanded- honor thy father and thy mother: and He that curses father or mother, let him die the death. That death depicts your opportunities, your dreams, and your future of success.
Don’t let the devil cause you to hate, or go up against your parents in rebellion and in a manner of disrespect. But, develop an attitude of love. As Paul said, “walk in love.”
Consider, for example, this description of love from the pen of Paul to the Corinthian church,
“Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Therefore, this love cannot possibly be an emotion that ebbs and flows involuntarily. It is neither a mere feeling nor just a shallow word. It is a thoughtful and willing commitment that keeps a family together, builds the esteem of children, respects and honor a parent, and treat a neighbor as one self.
Now that we have established what is love, let us look at our second aspect concerning love.
2. Who is love?
First John 4:8-9 states that, “God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.”
Those words are a clear echo of a familiar passage, John 3:16 states: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Now, the expression “God is love” is not meant to depersonalize God or portray Him as a force, a sensation, a principle, or some sort of cosmic energy. He is a personal Being, with all the attributes of personality—volition, feeling, and intellect.
Furthermore, God’s love is the highest expression of His person. He is contrary to what our society labels love. He is pure and holy. He is thoughtful and forgiving. He is the source of all true love.
Children, God does not slander, nor disrespect; He does not hate and He does not reject or criticize those He loves.
The only thing that God hates is sin because sin causes you to destroy your purpose, your progress, and your providence.
Love is therefore the best evidence that a person or child truly knows God: “Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God.”
In other words, love is the proof of a redeemed heart. It is a supernatural love that is peculiar to those who know God.
Paul said walk in love, meaning live in the manner that demonstrate who God is. Walk in unity, walk in integrity, walk in decency, walk in love. Why, because God, our Father is love.
Now moving to our third and final aspect of love:
3. Why should we develop love in our hearts and in our conduct?
Because love, which is the highest expression of God, will assure our success in becoming great, powerful, and purposeful pioneers who will experience God’s best in this life and the life to come.
Also, our actions of love are as important as our words of love. For our children need to see our love being demonstrated in their lives so they won’t be misguide in a world of perversion and misuse.
Our demonstration of love will develop their self-image and give them the confidence in becoming great pioneers, great visionaries, great children of God to minimize the ratio of mistakes and maximize great opportunities of success.
We all, who are children of God, must perfect God’s love to conquer hate, prejudice, rejection, abuse, disobedience, and all sorts of evil to become what God has intended us to be before the dawn of creation. And, that is children of purpose and prominence, children who are creative and powerful.
So, tell the person next to you, “show me your love…’ ‘In Christ Jesus” so we can conquer all that plagues our promise and our purpose.”
