To Love Is Christ

Today my message is “To Love is Christ”!

If we truly love all people, then the world sees Christ in us. When we live our lives for Jesus, the world is changed by Jesus. Therefore, to love is Christ!

Last week we considered “How to know our gifts?” We looked at several methods to follow to discover the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are given to each of us. Today, we look at the reality of the love of Christ showing through those gifts to impact those around us.

We are going to look at several Scriptures that remind and encourage us to be true to the calling of Jesus. Let’s start at the beginning when we asked Jesus to give us the gift of eternal life.

Colossians 2:6-7 NIV

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him,

7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Once we accept the gift from Jesus, we are asked to live our lives as He taught us, and to be thankful in everything. When we do this, we become a gift to the Church, to build the body, create unity in the faith and maturity in the believers.

John R.W. Stott said, “It is not just that we should strive to live like Jesus, but that Jesus by His Spirit should come and live in us. To have Him as our example is not enough; we need Him as our Savior. It is thus through His atoning death that the penalty of our sins may be forgiven; whereas it is through His indwelling Spirit that the power of our sins may be broken.” ¹

“Lord we lift up your name, with hearts full of praise, be exalted O Lord my God!” Awesome words, from one of the songs today, to show our love for Jesus!

Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

 Next week we will look at the “fruit of the light” more deeply to see what happens when believers follow Christ.

When we start living for Jesus, we become a light in the dark to this world. Jesus is light, and we reflect His light to all around us. Shine bright!

“So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus. Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King.” That is what we are to do as we shine for Jesus!

1 John 2:5-6 NIV

5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:

6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

 To follow a human group or individual doesn’t work but to follow Jesus is the best way for each of us. Our obedience brings forth the love that God has for us and shows the world how that love works.

“Teach me not to rely on what others do, but to wait here in prayer for an answer from you” Isaiah knew how to follow God and it starts with waiting on God to show the way.

A.W. Tozer stated: “The great need of the hour among persons spiritually hungry is twofold: first, to know the Scriptures, apart from which no saving truth will be vouchsafed by our Lord; the second, to be enlightened by the Spirit, apart from whom the Scriptures will not be understood.” ²

We need to let Him lead in our life. Only if we really love Christ and let His love in. If we love Jesus, we can love people too!

We sang “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.” Obeying Christ’s word leads us to walk as Jesus walked. Let us do this with praise and thankfulness.

I do not know the author of this next statement, but I feel this is a great thought for all of us today.

“You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day, by the deeds that you do and the words that you say. Men read what you write – distorted or true; What is the gospel according to you?” ³

Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;

5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

We sang “I believe in Jesus, I believe He is the Son of God, I believe He died and rose again, I believe He paid for us all.” This is why we are Christians! This is why we shine His light to the world! This is why we love – because Jesus first loved us!

When God chose us to be His family and gave us each gifts to share with the family, He created a good thing! We are to love the world, for that is Christ!

Remember that to follow Jesus, we need to read His word, the Bible, and love Him the way He loves us.

To love is Christ!