Walk in Love

1 The Family Resemblance

READ EPHESIANS 4:32–5:1

How often have you heard someone say of a child, “He takes after his father,” or “She takes after her mother”? One child shows a parent’s determination. Another keeps a journal of prayers and notices how the Lord is working. Families often have recognizable characteristics.

Paul calls believers to imitate God as beloved children. The relationship comes first. We do not become His children by displaying enough good behavior. Because we belong to Him through Christ, we are called to reflect His character.

The preceding verse makes that resemblance concrete: kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness. God has forgiven us in Christ. That mercy should shape how we respond when another person disappoints or wrongs us.

Discussion

?Why does it matter that Paul calls us beloved children before telling us to imitate God?

?Where is kindness, compassion, or forgiveness most difficult for you to practice?

2 Christ Shows Us What Love Is

READ EPHESIANS 5:2; 1 JOHN 4:9–10

Love takes its shape from Christ, who gave Himself for us as an offering and sacrifice to God. His love involved a costly gift of Himself for sinners. Our love for others should therefore involve more than pleasant words or affection when relationships are easy.

When it comes to others we cry for justice, while for ourselves we plead for mercy. I have fallen short more times than I care to remember—being rude, becoming irritable, or taking pleasure in another person’s trouble because I thought they got what they deserved.

At the cross, God showed mercy without setting justice aside. Christ bore the judgment due to sin. We receive forgiveness through Him, and the mercy we have received calls us to love others with humility. We cannot faithfully follow a self-giving Savior while insisting that every relationship serve our own interests.

Discussion

?How does Christ’s sacrifice challenge the way we normally define love?

?Where are you asking others to show you mercy while withholding mercy from them?

3 Love Becomes Visible in Ordinary Life

READ 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4–7; 1 JOHN 4:11–12

Love is tested in ordinary relationships: at home, at work, within the church, and with people we do not know. Patience, kindness, humility, and endurance give love a visible expression. Envy, boasting, resentment, and insisting on our own way work against it.

Love also rejoices with the truth. It does not celebrate wrongdoing or make peace with sin. Faithful love can require a difficult conversation, a truthful warning, or a call to repentance. The manner of our correction should reflect the mercy and humility we ourselves need.

It is hard for me to believe that anything can be perfected in me. Yet, God’s word does not lie. John tells us that when we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us.

His love can be perfected in me; it can be perfected in you. As we love one another, the love God has shown us reaches its intended expression in our lives—even as we continue to grow in that love.

Discussion

?Which description of love in 1 Corinthians 13 most directly challenges your conduct this week?

?How can we speak truth about sin in a way that expresses patience, humility, and love?

4 Personal Response

Think of one relationship in which your conduct needs to change. Be specific. Perhaps you need to listen without interrupting, put away a bitter response, acknowledge a wrong, offer practical help, or speak a difficult truth with greater humility.

Bring that need before the Lord. Confess your sin and ask for His help. Do not rest your assurance on how well you perform this week. Rest in Christ, and respond to His mercy with concrete obedience.

Discussion

?What one step of obedience will you take this week to reflect Christ’s love in that relationship?

5 Closing Summary

• God calls us to imitate Him as His beloved children.
• Christ’s sacrifice defines the love we are called to practice.
• Love becomes visible through kindness, forgiveness, humility, and truth.
• Our obedience responds to God’s grace; it does not earn His acceptance.