goodwill...

Ephesians 5:1

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 as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Although this is the start of a new chapter in terms of Bible organisation, it is the conclusion of a line of thought Paul has about believers interacting with one another.

The best place in which to imitate God is a place where you are aware of how dearly loved you are. We are amazed at Christ’s sacrifice for us, but it was not born out of a life of discipline, it was born out of a life of love.

When we truly feel loved, we are taken away by the revelation of how loved we are. Nothing can touch us! And that’s usually just the love of people. Imagine the power of knowing how loved I am by God!

If you and I are honest, so much of the things Paul talks about ridding ourselves in dealing with one another (bitterness, slander, gossip, etc) come out of a place of our insecurities and doubts about ourselves.

In interacting with each other, let’s not think about whether the person deserves our goodwill. Let’s think about how loved we are and how powerful that is.

Prayer for this week: Father, I want the love you have showed me to transform the way I live. I want my actions to always testify of the great love you have shown. Prepare opportunities this week for me to express love in situations, both easy and hard.