Kingdom Principle: The Bible calls us to love as Christ loves. But how are we to do that? What does that look like and how are we to actually express that love? The Word of God teaches us how we are to love like Christ, both in the instruction of what Christ’s love looks like and how we are to express it. John 13:34–35 (ESV) — 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Kingdom Principle: The Bible calls us to love as Christ loves. But how are we to do that? What does that look like and how are we to actually express that love? The Word of God teaches us how we are to love like Christ, both in the instruction of what Christ’s love looks like and how we are to express it.
John 13:34–35 (ESV) — 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Jesus ______________________ our Inner Man
John 1:12–13 (ESV) — 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Jesus gives us a new form, which produces a new function.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) — 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Here is the hope of the good news of Jesus, simplified; you cannot love, as you ought, because in the old man, who is under the curse of sin, you are self-centered and motivated to self-preservation, so Jesus makes you into a new creature.
Jesus ________________ us for Right Loving
Titus 2:11–12 (ESV) — 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age…
What do we need to give proper expression to the life of Christ in us? We need ____________________ and we need ____________________.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV) — 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
The more we know God’s Word and the more we act on that Word in faith, the better we become at loving as Christ loves.
2 Timothy 4:1–2 (ESV) — 1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Preaching and teaching God’s Word helps us to better discern how we are to love our neighbor.
How are we to love the one who is stuck in unprofitable behavior? The first thing we must do is call them out of it, lovingly. We must speak the truth in love. Paul does this on several occasions. Paul says in Eph. 4:15;
Ephesians 4:15 (ESV) — 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
And then he speaks the truth in love in the following passage.
Ephesians 4:28 (ESV) — 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
To love rightly, we must know the love of Christ and we must practice the love of Christ.
Questions to Consider
What are some particular situations that you need discernment on how to love rightly? Pray for wisdom and then seek God’s Word for how to love rightly.
How is God calling you to practice the love of God in a given situation? What does it look like to trust God and depend upon the Holy Spirit to love that person as you ought?
