LIKE JESUS WALKED

Following Jesus in a constant denying of self and learning to love as he loved. The greatest commandment, to love. In our human and fleshy existence, not so easy a task. As i continue to walk after Jesus and follow him i am led to these scriptures.

"Jesus said unto them, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. " Matthew 22:37-40

What does that love look like? Well, God is showing me that Jesus walked in this love when he was here with us. When he walked the earth as man and God, He showed us how to love our neighbor. It is summed up in a most beautiful way in 1 Corinthians 13. We are called to love like this....

Love is patient, even when you feel like forcefully expressing yourself. Love bears pain or trials without complaint, shows forbearance when provoked or strained, and is steadfast despite opposition, difficulty or adversity.

Love is kind, even when you want to retaliate physically or tear down another with your words. Love is sympathetic, considerate, gentle and agreeable.

Love is not jealous, especially when you are aware that others are being noticed more than you. love does not participate in rivalry, is not hostile toward one believed to enjoy advantage, and is not suspicious. Love works for the welfare and good of the other.

Love does not brag, even when you want to tell the world about your accomplishments. Love does not flaunt itself boastfully and does not engage in self-glorification. Instead, love lifts up others.

Love is not arrogant, even when you think you are right and others are wrong. Love does not assert itself or become overbearing in dealing with others.

Love does not act unbecomingly, even when being boastful, rude, or overbearing will get you attention and allow you to get you own way. Love conforms to what is right, fitting, and appropriate to the situation in order to honor the Lord.

Love does not seek its own, even when you feel like grabbing it all or have an opportunity to do so. Love does not try to fulfill its own desires, does not ask for its own way, and does not try to acquire gain for itself. Love, as an act of the will, seeks to serve and not be served.

Love is not provoked, even when others attempt to provoke you or you are tempted to strike out at something or someone. Love is not aroused or incited to outbursts of anger. Love continues faithfully and gently to train others in righteousness, even when they fail.

Love does not take into account a wrong suffered, even when everyone seems to be against you or when people openly attack you. Love does not hold a grudge against someone. Love forgives, chooses not to bring up past wrongs in accusation or retaliation, does not return evil for evil, and does not indulge in self-pity. Love covers a multitude of sins.

Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, even when it seems like a misfortune was exactly what another person deserved. Love mourns over sin, its effects, and the pain which results from living in a fallen world. Love seeks to reconcile others with the Lord.

Love rejoices with the truth, even when it is easier and more profitable materially to lie. Love is joyful when the truth is known, even when it may lead to adverse circumstances, reviling, or persecution.

Love bears all things, even when disappointments seem overwhelming. Love is tolerant, endures with others who are difficult to understand or deal with, and has en eternal perspective in difficulties. Love remembers that God develops spiritual maturity through difficult circumstances.

Love believes all things, even when others actions are ambiguous and you feel like not trusting anyone. Love accepts trustfully, does not judge peoples motives, and believes others until facts prove otherwise. Even when facts prove that the other person is untrustworthy, love seeks to help restore the other to trustworthiness.

Love hopes all things, even when nothing appears to be going right. Love expects fulfillment of God's plan and anticipates the best for the other person. Love confidently entrusts others to the Lord to do His sovereign and perfect will in their lives.

Love endures all things, even when you think you just can't endure the people or circumstances in your life. Love remains steadfast under suffering or hardship without yielding and returns a blessing while undergoing trials.

Love never fails, even when you feel overwhelmed and the situation seems hopeless. Love will not crumble under pressure or difficulties. Love remains selflessly faithful even to the point of death.

Which brings us to this: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever i command you." John 15:13-14

Amazing isn't it. How short we come of the mark set for us by the Lord. How blessed we are to live by faith and by Gods grace and mercy. How else could we ever expect to run the race set before us by God. Jesus died for us so we could be forever changed and forever love and serve him. We do not physically die for him each day, but spiritually we must die to ourselves every day in order to live for and serve him. To Love Him, love our neighbor and to Go.

There are expressions of Biblical love for us to follow and learn form all over the Bible. In the Gospels, in Acts and Romans, in Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians....etc...each Book of the New Testament is a Testament of God's love for us. i could write 100 blogs on it all.

For the other part of Matthew 22:37-40, the loving God part, how do we show this? Jesus says to keep his commandments. If we love him we will keep his commands. In addition to loving our neighbors, we are to Go, Go and make disciples of all nations, of all peoples.

"And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments." Exodus 20:6

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15

"Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." Matthew 28:19

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

I believe that once we come to Christ and give up our lives, they are no longer ours to live. We have no choice but to live out the lives of holiness and righteousness he has set us apart for. As we strive to love God with all that we are and our neighbor as ourself, i believe we must go. We must seek and save that which was lost. Preach the Gospel that is foolishness to those who are perishing because it is life for those afforded the grace of God to hear it. For this we have laid down our lives. Praise God.