The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 5 July 2020 – TOPIC: AS CHRIST LOVE
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TOPIC: AS CHRIST LOVE
READ: EPHESIANS 5:1-10 (NKJV)1. Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.2. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.3. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;4. neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.5. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.6. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.7. Therefore do not be partakers with them.8. For you were once darkness, but now [you are] light in the Lord. Walk as children of light9. (for the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),10. finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.THE MESSAGE:One of the most used words today, I believe, is “love.” And yet, it seems to be the most misunderstood, if not altogether abused. It is interesting that verse 2 did not just say we should walk in love, but added something. The believer in Christ is not just expected to love the way he wants, or the way the world wants him, but “as Christ also loved us.” This immediately changes the matrix. This means that a Christian’s yardstick for measuring his love is the way Christ loved us. If I do not love as Christ loved, then I cannot be said to love at all. Why did God set the bar so high? Can I love as Christ loved? How did Christ love us? This is even more troubling! He loved us by giving “Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (verse 2). This is really the crux of the matter, the real issue. Given our fallen nature and struggle with sin, can we truly love as Christ loved? Can I pray for the person who is mistreating me? Can I truly bless someone who is cursing me? The truth of the matter is that on my own, I cannot. But that is why the Holy Spirit is here as our helper. For as many as receive Christ, Heaven releases a power for them to become the sons of God.There is a divine enablement to live and love as God wants us to; but this is only possible as we depend on the Spirit of the Lord. We cannot produce a sweet-smelling aroma for God until we love others as Christ loved us; and we cannot love others as Christ loved us until we depend on His Spirit.PRAYER: O for grace, O Lord, to love as You love.