If we are called to grow to the fullness of Christ, what is that end? (Ephesians 4:13) The end can be understood as we study Scripture, which unfolds the truth. Take, for example, Philippians 2, where we are called to adopt a Christ-like mindset—a mindset displayed at the cross, one that is obedient even to death on the cross. This has been the focus of our discussions over the past couple of weeks: picking up our cross and following Jesus (Matthew 16:24-26).
Let’s follow this truth: If “greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13), and Christ displayed the greatest act of love known, then we are called to do the same. So, what are we called to? We are called to live a life of love. This life of love fulfills the law: “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself'” (Galatians 5:14). If laying down our lives and following Jesus fulfills the law because the love of God is in us, then we have eternal life. We are living by the Spirit (Galatians 5)Denying oneself is an expression of love for God and for others.
This is the mindset we are to have: “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son” (John 3:16).
Take some time this morning to meditate on these verses from 1 John 4:7-21:
“7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this, the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this, we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because He first loved us. 20 If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
The Bible is a love story. When I encounter people that reject those that try and share Christ I often want to ask them – “What do you have against love?”
The first few chapters of the Bible tell of perfection given by God. Every chapter after the birth of sin is God constantly showing how much mercy, grace and love He has for us if we would just follow Him.
The Great Commandment:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27). You cannot truly love god and hate your brother. The Dynamic can only be embraceed in authenticty as we apply them in are own spiritual Obedience TO THE GREAT COMMANDMENT(S) AND THE GREAT COMMISSION. Only then will we know what true Agape love is.
“sacrificial love that transcends circumstances”
To “love the sinner but hate the sin” means to care deeply for someone as a person while strongly disapproving of their harmful actions or choices, essentially separating the individual from their negative behaviors and showing compassion while still believing the actions are wrong; this concept is often used in contexts to explain how one can love someone who is sinning while still condemning the sin itself.
Treating the person with respect and kindness.
Despite disagreeing with their actions, you should still treat them with dignity and kindness, offering support and understanding as a person.
While loving the individual, you can still express concern about their behavior and encourage them to make positive changes, potentially offering guidance though preyer to help support them move away from the harmful actions.
Not condoning the sin, instead being christ like. To shine the light in that darkness.
It’s important to clearly communicate that you do not approve of the actions, while still maintaining a loving relationship with the person. Believe me, it is hard.I went through this with my sister and her addiction to alcohol.
Nick wrote- “Denying oneself is an expression of love for God and for others.”
This statement resonates strongly with me. A pastor that I greatly respect once said, “no one sins in a vacuum.”
I believe that both of these statements complement each other. The bottom line is this, when you sin, it doesn’t just affect you, it affects the people around you, the ones you love. This truth is a huge motivator for me to strive to resist sin. I think about my daughter and how my sin will surely affect her. I have seen this with my parents and my brothers. My brothers have inherited my parents drug addictions. The thought of my daughter inheriting a sin that I have accepted in my life is unacceptable. I must die to self in order to protect others.