Walk In Love While walking can be done for physical benefits alone, there are still parts of the world where walking has a specific motivation and destination. When asked by someone to “go for a walk” or “follow me” as they walk off, it will be with an intentional purpose and objective. There is a reason for this activity other than just getting some steps in. Walking together will be with the same motivation and arrival target. The pathway is just a means of achieving this purpose. The reason for a Jesus encounter, both when He was physically with us on earth and now that He is risen from the grave, is so much more than just to impart power and revelation. Until we agree to His invitation to walk with Him, His intended purpose is incomplete. It’s in the walk that transformation is validated. This walk, though, isn’t just some random walking for steps. It has a specific motivation and destination. The very reason for His coming to earth is the motivation He calls us to in a walk with Him. Every step in following is driven by the same love that drove Him. And the destination of that love step is to lay down one’s own life for the sake of others. This is a walk in a completely different direction than the world’s examples. This is why it can only be fully demonstrated from a heart that is truly “with” Him in every stride. It’s only from Him that the love walk can be fully taken, and it is only in this love walk that one can know what it’s truly like to follow Him in unity of motivation and purpose. Notes An encounter with Jesus was followed by an invitation to follow/walk with Him. Romans 6:4 (TPT) 4 Sharing in his death by our baptism means that we were co-buried and entombed with him, so that when the Father’s glory raised Christ from the dead, we were also raised with him. We have been co-resurrected with him so that we could be empowered to walk in the freshness of new life. The Walk Walk in the Spirit Walk by Faith Walk in Love Walk on Enemies Walk in Love – Motivation/Destination/Inseparation Ephesians 5:1-2 (TPT) 1 Be imitators of God in everything you do, for then you will represent your Father as his beloved sons and daughters. 2 And continue to walk surrendered to the extravagant love of Christ, for he surrendered his life as a sacrifice for us. His great love for us was pleasing to God, like an aroma of adoration—a sweet healing fragrance. Love is the Motivation, Destination and Inseparation of a walk with Jesus From Him we know how… 1 John 4:19-20 (TLB) 19 So you see, our love for him comes as a result of his loving us first. 20 If anyone says “I love God,” but keeps on hating his brother, he is a liar; for if he doesn’t love his brother who is right there in front of him, how can he love God whom he has never seen? Motivation – impart life Luke 19:10 (NLT) 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” John 10:10 (TPT) 10 A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow! John 3:17 (NLT) 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. Luke 19:41 (NLT) 41 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. Matthew 20:28 (TLB) 28 Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many.” Laying down/Laying up 1 John 3:16 (TLB) 16 We know what real love is from Christ’s example in dying for us. And so we also ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers. Matthew 13:45-46 (NKJV) 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. John 15:12-13 (TLB) 12 I demand that you love each other as much as I love you. 13 And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends; Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT) 19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Inseparation – Inseparable From God Romans 8:39 (TPT) 39 There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! To others 1 John 4:19-21 (TPT) 19 Our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated to us. 20 Anyone can say, “I love God,” yet have hatred toward another believer. This makes him a phony, because if you don’t love a brother or sister, whom you can see, how can you truly love God, whom you can’t see? 21 For he has given us this command: whoever loves God must also demonstrate love to others. Overview The Invitation to Walk Every encounter with Jesus carries an invitation to follow Him. Through Christ’s death and resurrection we are empowered to walk in new life (Romans 6:4). The Christian life is often described as a walk, reflecting daily relationship and direction. Scripture describes several ways we walk: Walk in the Spirit Walk by Faith Walk in Love Walk in authority over enemies Among these, walking in love is central, because love defines the nature of Christ Himself. Walk in Love — Motivation, Destination, and Inseparation Believers are called to imitate God and walk in the extravagant love of Christ (Ephesians 5:1–2). Love is not only the starting point of the walk with Jesus, but also the path and the goal. Love in the life of a believer is: Motivation — the reason we follow Him Destination — the ultimate expression of our walk Inseparation — the bond that keeps us united with God and others Love as the Motivation Our ability to love comes from God loving us first (1 John 4:19–20). The heart of Jesus’ mission was to bring life and salvation. Jesus demonstrated this motivation: He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). He came to give abundant life (John 10:10). He came to save rather than condemn (John 3:17). His heart was moved with compassion, even weeping over people who did not yet know Him (Luke 19:41). He modeled a life of serving and giving Himself for others (Matthew 20:28). Love as the Destination — Laying Down / Laying Up Jesus defined love as laying down one’s life for others (John 15:12–13). Because Christ laid down His life for us, we are called to lay down our lives for others (1 John 3:16). The paradox of the Kingdom is: Laying down our lives results in eternal treasure. Jesus described this with two pictures: The merchant who sold everything for the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45–46). Storing treasure in heaven rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19–21). Love as Inseparation — Inseparable The love of God is unbreakable and inseparable. Nothing in all creation can separate believers from God’s passionate love in Christ (Romans 8:39). This inseparable love also flows toward others: Loving God is demonstrated through loving people (1 John 4:19–21). Prayer Father, Thank You for inviting me not only to encounter You, but to walk with You. Thank You that through the resurrection of Jesus I have been raised into new life and empowered to walk in the freshness of Your Spirit. Teach me to walk in love as Christ walked in love. Let the same love that motivated Jesus to come into the world shape my heart and direct my steps. Help me seek the lost, bring life to others, and serve with humility. Give me the grace to lay down my life in love, knowing that what is surrendered for Your kingdom is never lost but stored as eternal treasure. Remind me that nothing can separate me from Your love. Let my life reflect Your heart so that others may see Your love through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Declarations I have been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life. I walk in the Spirit and walk by faith in the Son of God. I choose daily to walk in love as Christ loved me. The love of God motivates my life and directs my steps. I seek to bring life, hope, and salvation to others. I walk in humility and serve others as Jesus served. I am willing to lay down my life in love for others. As I live for Christ, I am laying up treasure in heaven. Nothing in all creation can separate me from God’s love. I demonstrate my love for God by loving others faithfully. My walk with Jesus reflects His heart, His love, and His purpose.