One of the fundamental requirements of our Christian walk through life is loving God and loving our neighbors as we love ourselves.
We see this in Matthew:
Matthew 22:37-39 AMP
And Jesus replied to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good of others).
In the Bible, our “walk” describes our lifestyle and daily relationship with God. Therefore, walking in God’s love implies following Jesus and acknowledging Him as the Son of God and Lord of our lives. The greatest gift we have been given is God’s love, and we are also expected to love others.
Our love for God is evident in our desire to follow His example. When we walk in love, we become imitators of God who loved us so much that He gave His begotten son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sake, and the matchless love of Christ who laid down His life as an atonement for the sins of the world to reconcile us back to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Here, Paul urges us to follow God’s example and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and sacrificed Himself for us.
Walking in Love Comes with Its Challenges
One of the biggest challenges we face as children of God is loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. Humans are naturally selfish and tend to think about themselves before others. In these perilous times, it is even more challenging to love others because people have become lovers of themselves more than lovers of God. This is evident in II Timothy 3:1-4
II Timothy 3:1-4 NKJV
But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
However, circumstances notwithstanding, we are responsible as Christians and followers of Christ to walk in love since love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. We must endeavor to walk in the Spirit and desist from gratifying the flesh.
Galatians 5:16-17, 19-26 NKJV
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
One of the ways we can walk in the Spirit is by minding how we talk and treat others. Our words, actions, and attitudes will determine how we impact the lives of others. We are admonished to be kind to one another, to be tender-hearted, and to forgive one another just as God in Christ Jesus forgave us
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
How To Walk In Love
1. Guard Your Heart: Our feelings influence our choices in life. If we feel rejection, shame, anger, bitterness, or any other negative emotion, it will negatively impact our behavior and choices. Similarly, knowing we are loved and valued positively impacts our behavior and choices.
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
2. Know Your Worth: To walk in love and keep walking in love, we must know our value and worth in God’s sight, which brings inner well-being, peace, and security. The word of God washes and cleanses us from all defilement that life inflicts.
As we read and study God’s word, our thoughts and feelings are realigned to God’s truth. We must let go of every unkind word, put down, and critical comment and meditate instead on God’s unending love and unfailing grace.
As we fill our hearts with God’s love, meditate on His word, and reflect on His promises, His peace will guard our hearts and minds.
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
3. Forgive: It is important to forgive others to be forgiven. Forgiveness is a sign of humility and a sign of love. It is a way to show kindness and grace to others.
Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Susan is a mother of four beautiful babies and a born-again Christian. She took over Hope No Matter What in 2024 and enjoys sharing her knowledge of the goodness and faithfulness of God. Her passion is to bring hope and encouragement to others, and she prays that by sharing her knowledge and personal story, she can inspire others to find enlightenment in God's word.