Love Like Jesus What Really Does Vibrant Agape Love Look Like? ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

Jesus told the apostles to love one another. Everything that he taught and did expressed love. But what is that? We are to love like Jesus. But what really does vibrant agape love look like? Does it mean that we never tell someone when they are wrong? We just let everyone live and do what they please. No consequences for when they do wrong. Is it giving the drug addicts narcotics so they can be content sleeping on the streets? Does love say nothing as people go about their lives doing whatever they please? Is it ok to sexualize our children in the name of love? Is that really love? No discipline. No structure. No laws. After all that was the scene before the flood. That was Sodom and Gomorrah. It also pictured Israel under the reign of King Ahab and Jezebel.

So, a Vibrant, Agape love is not some mealy mouthed, wishy washy love. It if full of life, light, hope and wise action.

When everything is heading for disaster, can true love just look the other way? If a small child runs toward a waterfall, do we let them go and jump to their death? Sometimes true love says, “No”. True love points them to Jesus Christ. Are there rules and regulations that come with a life that follows Jesus? Of course there are. Because we tend to be like dumb sheep and follow others to jump off the cliff or wander into dangerous territory, if the shepherd did not guide us back.

To Love like Jesus, we must be Imitators of God

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 NKJV

How do we imitate God like dear children? Do we try to walk the way He walks? Speak the way He speaks? Or do we live a life of humility, compassion, with strength and integrity. Standing firm in the truth of the gospel message without compromising. Being willing to study the word so that you can answer in truth. While knowing the Holy Spirit will guide you. Being unafraid to speak truth into chaos and doing so without losing yourself to anger, pride, nor despair. What must you avoid doing if you love like Jesus?

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not be partakers with them. Ephesians 5: 3-7 NKJV

All around us are those who urge us to live like society does. Why are you so “tight”? What is wrong with banning the Bible in schools while promoting other religions? You are such a bigot, Do whatever feels good. After all your feelings is all that matters. Right? Wrong. Our feelings will lead us down so many paths.

To Love Like Jesus Remember

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. Ephesians 5: 8-10 NKJV

Before we were saved, we too were in darkness. However, in Jesus we are light. When you walk into a truly dark room and call out to Siri “torch on” and suddenly light appears. It is like that. We have moments when everything around us appears dark. It is then that we pray, “God, I know the Holy Spirit is within me. Please turn on His light in this darkness. He is there to illuminate our minds, provide wisdom, and peace. Whatever place of confusion you have been placed in, turn your eyes on Jesus for the answer. He is at the right of God pleading for you making intercession for you. Never forget this fact.

To Love Like Jesus, Expose darkness

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore, He says:

“Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light.”

Walk in Wisdom

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:11-16 NKJV

We are surrounded by evil and darkness. Even when we think we are not. Expose the darkness whenever you can. Speak truth. Stay on your knees. Sometimes even when you think you have spoken correctly and followed what God has said, you find you are pushed back into confusion. Desiring to do the right thing, does not always mean you will. Get back on your knees and keep praying. Redeem the time by spending it with Him. Is that not the example of Jesus who went to pray often and fervently.

What else do you need to love like Jesus?

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:17 NKJV

How do I understand His will?

I go to be with Him. That is how. Reading His Words of Truth. Seeking Him earnestly and fervently. Remember He is in you and with you. Talk to Him often, like your best friend.

What else? Be Filled with the Spirit.

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18 NKJV

Don’t I have the Spirit in me? Am I not just automatically filled? Yes, and no. Have you ever eaten so much junk food you couldn’t possibly take in anything nutritious? It is like that. We so fill our minds with junk that we cannot feel or hear the Spirit prompting. Ultimately, He will get our attention. But after so much pain and suffering we face needlessly. Sometimes, we have to wait for the answer to come. Quietly, waiting in His word.

And Be with Other Christians

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:19-21 NKJV

Whenever we face trials and confusion, have you ever noticed how often there are excuses whispering in your head for not attending church? You are too tired. After all you can watch from home. Not only be with other Christians, but in song and hymns lift each other up. What do Christian songs and hymns do? They remind you of His faithfulness.

To Love like Jesus, Consider His Beautiful Picture of Marriage

Marriage—Christ and the Church

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:22-24 NKJV

The perfect picture of Christ and the Church. We submit to Him. Trust His wisdom to guide us. This picture is often broken and shattered here on earth. But it is not in heaven. Consider Him who can mend all our brokenness. Submit to Him and His will. Not running to and fro chasing our own pleasures. Understanding He is enough to fill our hearts to the overflowing. Then we can love like Jesus.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5: 25-33 NKJV

Jesus was willing to leave His heavenly throne. Then, walk in humility through suffering to redeem us. He died on a cruel cross that He might purchase our salvation. Yet, He stands strong. Defending Truth, honor, and righteousness.

From the Chronicles of Narnia,

“Who is Aslan?” asked Susan.
“Aslan?” said Mr. Beaver, “Why don’t you know? He’s the King. . . . It is he, not you, that will save Mr. Tumnus. . . .”
“Is—is he a man?” asked Lucy.
“Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. “Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion—the Lion, the great Lion.”
“Ooh!” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver, “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”
“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
“I’m longing to see him,” said Peter, “even if I do feel frightened when it comes to the point.”

– The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe C.S. Lewis

Jesus is the Lion of Judah. Is He tame. NO–He is ferocious and powerful against sin and evil. But He is good. I can stand and tremble at His Majesty and then at the same time bury my head in His mane weeping. He is my protector and my joy. All in all He is everything. His magnificent power gives me comfort and peace. While, His humble sacrifice and love for me is my hiding place from all that is evil–I can rest because He is my Lord, Savior, and King. My refuge and my mighty tower.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

¹ J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

English Standard Version (ESV)

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