Walking in Love
Walking in love is one the most effective kingdom principals that God has established for us. “Therefore be imitators of God as
dear children. And walk in love.” (Ephesians5:1) By obeying the Love command we can successfully endure persecution, gain
character, and get victory in and through every challenge. Love enables us to grow in all the fruits of the Spirit, as well as
maintain unity with the body of Christ. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited,
provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians5:25-26) With such potential power contained in those three words,
“walk in Love”, we would do well to pull them apart, study and scripturally define them.
God is Love (1 John 4:16b). Agape is the spiritual action of God’s favor exhibited toward us. “In this the love of God was
manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” (1John4:9) As
such, it is a force that, when used properly, has no equal in power. All the laws of the universe can’t stop it. It is everlasting
and never runs out. There is only one small force in all the earth that can alter Love’s course and that is the God ordained gift
of human choice, our will. In every situation and relationship we encounter, we choose: to Love (Agape) or not to Love, THAT is
the question. “Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the LORD your God.” (Joshua23:11)
The choices we make define our “walk”. Walking is a peculiar event in human activity. It has been described as the motion of
falling forward while trusting we will catch ourselves. Walking with others implies a pace and a step that can only be achieved
if we are responsively aware of each other. It can only be done with others who we trust are going in the same direction.
Agreement, unity and calling are all components of walking with others.
“…walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with
one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)
The third word in the phrase is a small but enormously powerful word, “in.” The word “in” means “committed emulsion,
covered up and surrounded by”. “So those that entered [Noah’s ark], male and female of all flesh, went in as God had
commanded him; and the LORD shut him in.” (Genesis 7:19) The modern-day example of flying can bring clarification to the
importance of the word “in.” When your flight takes off you don’t want to be under it, or near it, by it, or on top of it. If you are
planning to take a trip, by all means you want to be in the plane. That is where you are surrounded and protected. In it, is
where you are meant to be, and where there is supply for your trip. In the plane is also where the other passengers should be,
as well. “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of
understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,” (Colossians2:2)
With these definitions, we can piece together a powerful message out of three seemingly simple words. Walk [responsively
aware of, in unity with and trusting Him] in [completely committed, in a place of provision and protection] Love [God-given, all
powerful, unending force of mercy, grace and forgiveness]. Some may question, “How could I be expected to move in this kind
of power?” The good news is that God loved us first (1 John 4:19). His love is shed abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5), and
He has given us the believing measure of faith (Romans 12:3b). We don’t have to “work it up” or “tap into the flinty rock.” Only
one thing is needful: choose to Love.
Love In Christ,
Gregory & Linda Emler
Walking in love is one the most effective kingdom principals that God has established for us. “Therefore be imitators of God as
dear children. And walk in love.” (Ephesians5:1) By obeying the Love command we can successfully endure persecution, gain
character, and get victory in and through every challenge. Love enables us to grow in all the fruits of the Spirit, as well as
maintain unity with the body of Christ. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited,
provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians5:25-26) With such potential power contained in those three words,
“walk in Love”, we would do well to pull them apart, study and scripturally define them.
God is Love (1 John 4:16b). Agape is the spiritual action of God’s favor exhibited toward us. “In this the love of God was
manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” (1John4:9) As
such, it is a force that, when used properly, has no equal in power. All the laws of the universe can’t stop it. It is everlasting
and never runs out. There is only one small force in all the earth that can alter Love’s course and that is the God ordained gift
of human choice, our will. In every situation and relationship we encounter, we choose: to Love (Agape) or not to Love, THAT is
the question. “Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the LORD your God.” (Joshua23:11)
The choices we make define our “walk”. Walking is a peculiar event in human activity. It has been described as the motion of
falling forward while trusting we will catch ourselves. Walking with others implies a pace and a step that can only be achieved
if we are responsively aware of each other. It can only be done with others who we trust are going in the same direction.
Agreement, unity and calling are all components of walking with others.
“…walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with
one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)
The third word in the phrase is a small but enormously powerful word, “in.” The word “in” means “committed emulsion,
covered up and surrounded by”. “So those that entered [Noah’s ark], male and female of all flesh, went in as God had
commanded him; and the LORD shut him in.” (Genesis 7:19) The modern-day example of flying can bring clarification to the
importance of the word “in.” When your flight takes off you don’t want to be under it, or near it, by it, or on top of it. If you are
planning to take a trip, by all means you want to be in the plane. That is where you are surrounded and protected. In it, is
where you are meant to be, and where there is supply for your trip. In the plane is also where the other passengers should be,
as well. “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of
understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,” (Colossians2:2)
With these definitions, we can piece together a powerful message out of three seemingly simple words. Walk [responsively
aware of, in unity with and trusting Him] in [completely committed, in a place of provision and protection] Love [God-given, all
powerful, unending force of mercy, grace and forgiveness]. Some may question, “How could I be expected to move in this kind
of power?” The good news is that God loved us first (1 John 4:19). His love is shed abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5), and
He has given us the believing measure of faith (Romans 12:3b). We don’t have to “work it up” or “tap into the flinty rock.” Only
one thing is needful: choose to Love.
Love In Christ,
Gregory & Linda Emler
