Ephesians 5:1-2: Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Paul instructs the church at Ephesus to be imitators of God. Just as a child will imitate a parent and want to be like that parent, so a believer should want to be just like God. He is the most peaceful, joyful and successful person who has ever lived. He is full of wisdom, understanding, compassion and love.
The key phrase of emphasis for this week is live a life of love. As you learn to imitate God, then you will begin to live in the love of God.
In the 22nd chapter of Matthew, Jesus explicitly outlined for the Pharisees the two greatest commandments. In verse 36 they asked Jesus, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus said to them, "'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. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.'"
The Pharisees emphasized keeping every little commandment of the Law. They were more concerned about keeping the Law than they were about loving God or loving people. In essence Jesus was saying to them, that every little rule and regulation you try to keep all hangs on these two commandments. Although our actions are important, God emphasizes the heart. Love God with everything within you, with your whole heart, with your whole soul, with your whole mind, then love your neighbor as yourself. If you make these two commandments your absolute priority in life, you will find yourself obeying the other commandments.
In I Corinthians 12-14 Paul discusses the operation of tongues and other spiritual gifts in the church. In the middle of this teaching to the church at Corinth as recorded in chapter 13, Paul writes about the priority of the love of God. Look at the first three verses in this chapter.
I Corinthian 13: 1-3, If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Paul explains to the church. You can speak in all types of tongues, but if you do not have love, you are just making noise.
In the 1960's and 1970's there was a revival or renewal taking place in the church in the United States. Christians of all denominations became hungry for more of God, and many believers received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and they spoke with other tongues similar to the experience of the early church in the book of Acts.
Many believers who received this experience became so excited in God, that they wanted to share this experience with all of their brothers and sisters in Christ. Some who received this experience fell into the snare of pride. They possessed the attitude that I speak in tongues and you don't, therefore I am more spiritual than you. Obviously, this attitude of superiority is contrary to walking in the love of God.
I pray in tongues, and I find it an essential part of my prayer life. However, it does not make me better than someone who does not pray in tongues.
Also, in the 1970's there was a renewal in the area of faith teaching. Teachers such as Kenneth Hagin and Kenneth Copeland suddenly became very popular, and they emphasized verses like Mark 11:23-24 and others verses that exhort and encourage believers to walk by faith.
This teaching produced in some Christians a superior attitude. They began to think that they were better Christians because they knew more about faith.
In Mark 11:23 Jesus talks about the faith to move mountains. In I Corinthians 13:2 Paul says, if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Please note that teachers like Kenneth Hagin and Kenneth Copeland emphasized the importance of the love of God. They both taught that faith works by love, and that a believer would not have a productive faith walk, if he did not commit to walk in the love of God.
Mark these words. Anything you receive from God, whether it is a spiritual gift, a healing, unusual financial prosperity, or keen insight and wisdom into the Word of God, should always produce in you more love for God and for your neighbor. If it does not, then you are misusing and abusing the gift that you have received from God.
God is not primarily concerned about the sacrifices you are willing to make for him. He is not so concerned about the amount of time you pray in tongues each day, or the number meals you fast each month, or about the amount of your tithe check each month.
God wants to know if you will daily commit yourself to love him with all of your heart, all of your soul, and all of your mind. Will you love your neighbor as yourself? God knows if you emphasize keeping these two commandments, everything else in your spiritual life will fall into place.
My wife and I have been married 25 years. Before we married we had a clear understanding. She wanted a husband, who loved God more than her. I wanted a wife, who loved God more than me. That type of thinking may sound strange to the world, but we both knew that if we both loved God first, then we would always love each other.
When you focus on obeying the greatest commandments, then you will find yourself obeying the other commandments. You will discover your life is in order and in balance. You will find true success and prosperity in God.
Live a life of love.
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org