Operating In His Love

The more we identity with God’s love and our position in Christ, we find the importance of staying there—abiding—in Him. When you’ve found true love, you don’t want to go elsewhere. As believers, it’s becoming more aware of His love for us, His love in us, and who we are in Him that fills our being. Focusing on God’s love in Jesus enables the fruit of the Spirit to flow through us to others—the fruit of love, joy, and peace.

Let me give you an example. When I was in college, my roommates and I met a woman at Taco Bell not far from our college. She wanted to talk to us, so we talked to her. I believe she was drawn to us by the Holy Spirit because she saw something in us she didn’t have. She shared she needed a ride to meet someone down the street, so we all decided we could do that and share God’s love with her. She sat in the passenger’s seat and I was in the middle backseat. She kept turning around to me and commenting “there’s just something about you…” In the natural at first I thought maybe I had something in my teeth after eating tacos. It didn’t take too long for me to catch on that Jesus wanted to touch her life. We all shared God’s love in Jesus with her, and she kept looking back at me. I wasn’t sure of what else to say, but I took her hand in mine and quietly asked the Holy Spirit to flow through me to her.

She and I both felt His love flowing and touching our physical bodies. I felt His love flowing through my body, my fingers, and into her hand as I held it. She felt it, too, and at first, she pulled her hand back, then grabbed my hand again. I didn’t need to say more than Jesus Loves You to her. With tears in her eyes, she nodded. We didn’t see her anymore after that night so we don’t know what else transpired. But we were positive we had been at the right place, at the right time to share with this woman. That’s manifesting God’s love for people. It doesn’t have to be all theological; in fact, it’s better when it isn’t.

I believe my friends and I were imitators of God that night which is what Galatians 5:1-2 NASB mentions: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Furthermore, the lady we talked to knew Jesus loved her, right where she was in her life and struggles.

We didn’t realize it at the time, but we were also demonstrating the truth of John 13:34-35 NASB: “³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” The woman needed to be reminded of God’s great love through Jesus. The world today needs the truth of God’s love being amazing and steady and unchanging as Philip, Craig and Dean sing (Your Love Is Amazing).

TRUTH: Because our identity is IN CHRIST, we can exemplify through our lives the truth of 1 John 4:11 NIV, “since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another”. The more we understand and personally know the love of Christ, the more we are able to manifest His love to those around us, through loving words and/or deeds. The chorus of years ago echoes across the decades, “and they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love…”

You see, it isn’t always ‘preaching’ a sermon to someone. It’s demonstrating with actions God’s love for them. People say they’d rather see a sermon any day than hear one preached. Why? Because they see His love in action.

Paul talks about it in Galatians 5:13 NASB, “through love serve one another.” Through love be a servant to others. In other words, think of others before yourself. Love in action. That’s how Jesus demonstrated our Heavenly Father’s love for mankind. Jesus went about doing good. Acts 10:38 NASB says “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

Realize there is no condemnation or guilt to be carried if you don’t share with people. Jesus loves you and will always love you. But you have a story, a testimony, to share with someone. And even just sharing your experience(s) will encourage others to see God’s love and goodness. Be real and honest, and you’ll be amazed as God’s love fills you and overflows to someone else.

APPLICATION: When you are enveloped in God’s goodness and love through Jesus, you can’t help but share that same love with someone else. It’s time to get excited about God’s love. It’s time to let God’s fullness through Jesus continue to overflow in your heart. That’s when you’ll more on purpose manifest loving deeds and loving thoughts. It’s a choice to make each time you’re challenged to walk the love life over getting upset or not doing anything. Don’t let emotions rule and dictate your actions. Let Jesus live BIG in you and you will walk in His love.

Galatians 5:13 NASB should challenge each of us daily: “through love serve one another.”

Galatians 5:1-2 NASB – “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

Make It Personal: I will imitate you God, demonstrating your love and goodness to others because Jesus gave Himself for me.

John 13:34-35 NASB – “³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Make It Personal: I determine to walk in your love; and through allowing your love to operate in my life, others will see You.

1 John 4:11 NIV – “Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Make It Personal: Thank you for loving me, Lord; and I determine to walk in love toward others.

Galatians 5:13 NASB, “through love serve one another.”

Make It Personal: Through your love, Lord, I will find ways to serve others and fellow believers.

ASK YOURSELF:

In what ways are you challenged by Galatians 5:13 to serve others in love?

How are you learning to imitate God as His son or daughter?

In what ways has your focus changed from yourself to others?