Responsibilities of the Love Walk

"Walk in Love"…an often-used cliché. Love is responsible, and if we don't know how to walk in it, then we act irresponsibly.

Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Jesus was speaking about finances here, but we know it can apply to other areas.  Do we treasure what He treasures? Money means nothing to Him. Gold means nothing…diamonds mean nothing. People are precious to God. So often we think we are walking in love (gritting our teeth and saying OK Jesus, I'll love him/her…but if God said SICK'EM…you'd knock them cross-eyed! We are going to look at some principles we can walk in to help us REALLY walk in love towards one another!

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1.      We are members that belong to each other. (Romans 12:5)
Although we function individually, everything we do affects the other members of the Body. (EX: If I stub my big toe at night, my toe doesn't scream…I do. My face grimaces, I say those Christian cuss words (oh Jesus oh Lord glory to God!) What I do, and the choices I make spiritually, affect my brothers and sisters. Too often in the Body of Christ we focus on the Michael Jordan's, and how they affect the game…but we forget that if the guy who sweeps the sweat off the floor when someone falls doesn't show up…Michael can break his neck!
 

2.      Devoted to one another. (Romans 12:10)
The Word tells us to be devoted to more than God, or our spouses…but also to one another! Our devotion to our brothers and sisters in Christ are a great barometer to our devotion to God. (1 John 4:20…If any man says he loves God but hates his brother, he is a liar…)
DEVOTION: The fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal. (unswerving in allegiance - nothing can cause you to sway)

3.      Honor each other above ourselves. (Philippians 2:3-4)
Our hearts should always be quick to honor those to whom honor is due…pride keeps back comments like "well done" and "good job". We honor God when we honor His people.

4.      Be in unity with one another. (Romans 15:5-6)
Singleness of purpose…if we are working to fulfill the same vision we will be in unity. God desires us to be in unity so that with one heart and mouth we can glorify Him. What brings glory to Him? When we are walking in love towards one another…THIS IS how we will be known (for our love to one another).

5.      Accept one another. (Romans 15:7)
JUST AS CHRIST ACCEPTED YOU! How did Jesus accept you? What did you have to change for Him to love you? How many of us have taken a back row believer to lunch lately…those not well educated, or smell well…not for brownie points, but because of your GENUINE LOVE to them. Jesus went to lunch with the worst of the worst…because He loved them!

6.      Admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)
(Admonish: to caution or reprove gently; mild rebuke)
Revelation 3:19 "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline."
Proverbs 27:5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.
If we do not caution a brother or sister in Christ…we are no better than evil men are. (If I saw you about to step into a big bear trap, and just stood by…)

7.      Serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)
If there is one way that you can show your love for someone, it's to serve him or her! (EX: Marilyn Manson concert) Mark 10:45 - James and John decide they want to sit on each side of the throne…what higher place could you be! Jesus lets them know quickly that the Son of Man came to serve and not be served (imagine Jesus washing your feet). SAY: "If it was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me."

8.      Bear with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2) "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
How do you think (you with kids) put up with them sometimes? (Bouncing off the wall…I wanna cookie, I wanna cookie…OK!!!) It's love…love is patient, it bears with someone even if they aren't bearable…even if you do want to choke them or slap them around and wake them up. It's gonna take some believers YEARS to get cleaned up…are you willing to wait it out?

9.      Bear one another's burdens. (Galatians 6:2)
How many of you want to fulfill the law of Christ? (What is the law of Christ) Bear your brother's burdens. If you're going through it, so am I. If I'm going through the fire, you're there with me.

10.   Encourage one another. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Be an encourager! Build each other up…pray for one another; communicate (give) to one another. (King James uses "edify"…literally means to be a "house builder"…are you building up your brothers spiritual house or knocking holes in the drywall?)


CLOSE:
The only way we can cultivate our love walk is to do what Jesus did…give Himself completely away while He was here on earth…He poured Himself into people and loved the unlovable.