How to Maintain Your Love Walk
I want to share with
you one of the most important topics you will ever learn about as a Christian:
love. I am not talking about a natural, human love. Even an unsaved person can
love their child or a friend, but I am talking about the supernatural love that
the Holy Spirit sheds abroad in your heart (Romans 5:5) as a believer and can be
manifested even to your enemies. I want to share with you some keys that will
help you maintain your love walk.
The first key to maintaining your love walk is to know that we as Christians are
commanded by Jesus Himself to walk in love (John 15:12). I want you to notice
that it's not an option, but a command. If He has commanded us to walk in love
then it is possible for us to do it. The great thing about God is this: Not only
does He give us the command, but He empowers us to fulfill it.
The second key, we must renew our mind (soul) with the Word of God (Romans
12:1-2). Once you make Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of your life, the Holy
Spirit does a supernatural work in your spirit by removing the sin nature that
was passed down through the human race from Adam's disobedience. However, the
Bible says that we need to do something with our mind. Worldly mindsets and
ungodly thought patterns are stripped away as you hear and read the Word of God
on a regular basis. In that process, you are making God's thoughts your thoughts
and you're lining your born-again spirit up with your mind. If your thoughts are
not lined up with the Word of God, your lifestyle will not reflect that which
God sets forth in His Word.
The third key is we must value every person as God does. The Bible says that
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God valued us so
much that He gave His only Son to take our punishment upon Himself. That was a
supernatural love, and that is why we as Christ's followers or children of God,
are expected to love even our enemies.
Fourthly, we must put ourselves in a position to see the needs of others and be
moved with compassion. As you read through the Gospel accounts, Jesus was
constantly around needy people and He was moved with compassion. We must allow
our heart to remain softened. Go and visit people in the nursing homes and those
who are sick and diseased. By doing so, you are in a perfect position to be used
by God in the life of these individuals.
And lastly, we must realize that when we treat others badly, we are coming
against God Himself. When Jesus appeared to Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus,
Jesus said, "Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" Saul was persecuting Christians,
but because they are part of the body of Christ, Jesus said, "You're persecuting
Me."
If you will diligently apply these keys in your life, you will be used in a
wonderful way by God! The question we as Christians need to ask ourselves is
this: Am I walking in love toward my fellow man on a daily basis?
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