© 06 Colin Melbourne
Seven practical keys to walking in Divine Love and victory
Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.
Eph. 5:2 Holy Bible, KJV
God is Love
The first thing you notice when you meet the Living Christ is His perfect overwhelming love for you. It is breathtaking. You are rendered speechless, pressed to the ground under the weight of His mercy, and can do no other than surrender your all to Him.
That’s the power of Love: Real Love.
We are commanded to walk our whole Christian lives on Earth in that divine Love.
How are you doing?
Like me, you’re falling short, but we’ve seen the Glory, and we know it is the most excellent way. It is our way of victory, and we must press in.
If we operate all the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, including working miracles, and prophesying, but ignore the command to love, we gain nothing. 1 Co. Ch.13
If you want to prophecy: God says you must first follow after Love (charity). 1 Co. 14:1 KJV;
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
The KJV translators chose the word “charity” here for love, and it is very appropriate.
Nowadays, we reserve the term charity for altruistic giving. We don’t use the word charity for love, but let us remember God’s definition of love in 1 Jn. 4:10 KJV;
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Love is defined by the action of giving His Son for us. For God so loved… He gave.
So it’s useful to use the word charity here to remind us that love is manifested by unselfish giving, yielding, and trusting.
Here are some practical lessons I’ve learned about walking in love that are guaranteed to bring success in your life.
It’s a choice
In every situation, God always gives the choice to love. He won’t force you to love, you must consciously choose the love way. When you are tempted to follow the flesh, look for the Love option, then take it. 1 Co. 10:13 KJV;
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
It becomes a habit, a good, self-rewarding habit.
It costs you
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 Jn. 3:14,16 KJV
Be prepared to pay the price of love.
It is costly to love with the love of Christ, but it is a terrific investment with heavenly rewards.
It may cost you; money, respect, dignity, pain, heartache, ridicule, perhaps even your life: Sacrifice it for the Name of Jesus, He will accept it, and reward you. Ro. 12:1 Even if you have to wait a long time, remember He is Faithful and True. (Rev. 3:14, 19:11 KJV)
Pay the price, whatever it costs.
You have it in you
This is a wonderful discovery every new Christian makes,Ro. 5:5 KJV;
…the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
To say you can’t love someone, is to deny the word of God, who tells believers we have His love poured into our hearts.
Remember the first week you were saved? Your heart bubbled over with love for even your worst enemy. Wasn’t it amazing? You found you could love people you didn’t even like.
Turning the other cheek, and overlooking insults was supernaturally easy.
Perhaps, since then you have fallen back, and returned to following the flesh instead of love, simply repent. Change your mind, and determine to follow love.
Here’s a good tip: This love wells up from deep down in your heart, your spirit, not your head. If you love from your head, it will be false, insincere, doesn’t work, and doesn’t please God.
Let your spirit rule, let God’s love rise, and follow it.
It is leading you in victory, because Love never fails.
Continued: 7 Tips on how to walk in love…
© 06 Colin Melbourne
