walk in love...

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself

for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a

sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:2)

To truly walk in love, we have to learn how to love others as Christ does. Not an easy task. But a doable one nonetheless.We must learn to love with an unconditional and all encompassing love.

No strings attached.

No holds barred.

Just pure unadulterated love.

Dependent upon nothing except the amazing ability through Him, to tap into God's power and let His love shine through us.

To look beyond the surface.

See as He sees.

Feel as He feels.

Esteem others higher and just love.

Ultimately, Christlike love requires effort on our part. We must work at denying self. We can't love based on merit. We can't love based on our measure of worthiness. We must love regardless. We love instead of... We love in spite of.... We love anyway. It's not about us. It's all about Jesus.

The only way we can begin to acquire the kind of love that Christ demonstrates is to daily take up the cross - and follow HARD after Him.

".... let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23)

To love others like Him? It is costly. It may cost us our pride - our heart - our selves. But  we can learn to reach way down into the depths of our being, and pull out the love that He put there. And lovingly, purposefully and generously bestow that love on others, we will be a sweet smelling aroma to the Father.

Oh, to be a pleasing fragrance to the nostrils of God. That He might savor the sweet scent of obedience from His children. The sweet scent of us conforming to His image.

To walk in love.

No strings attached.

Just the amazing love of Christ.

It's all about Him.

In His captivating love,

Beth