WEDNESDAY July 7, 2021

Walk in Love

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 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.
Ephesians 5:1-2

Paul spoke tenderly to the Ephesian believers––as dear children. As they had accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, Paul wrote his Epistle to tell them of their position in Christ. “In Christ,” “in Him” and “in whom” are phrases used about 36 times in the book of Ephesians. Now that these believers were fully aware of their position in Christ, they must become doers of the Word of God, not just hearers. In the second part of the Epistle, they would learn how to behave. They were to walk worthy, walk in love, walk in wisdom, and walk in the light.

God’s love must possess a believer’s heart. The world needs the love of God. His love is available and freely given to anyone: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Think about this great gift of salvation given to us––all because of His divine love.

Before Christ, I was in a place of bitterness, hatred and unforgiveness. I hated my father, mother and family. But God’s love got ahold of my life. I suffered nightmares because of the time I spent in Vietnam. I could not forgive myself for the things I had done in war. Satan would harass me day and night. He spoke into my mind to tell me I could never be forgiven. I pleaded with God to speak to my heart. I read the book of Romans, and it set me free! There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

Satan is the accuser of the brethren. He never stops condemning us. We must not believe his lies. Jesus Christ died for your sins and mine. Jesus does not keep records of our sinful past. He takes our sins and buries them in the deepest part of the ocean (Micah 7:19). We are set free!

We are never nearer Christ than when we find ourselves lost in a holy amazement at his unspeakable love.
~John Owens~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!