How does a Christian stay in step with God’s love?

The love of God will be perfected within the one who obeys God’s Word. We can be sure that we’ve truly come to live in  intimacy withGod,not just by saying,  “I am intimate with God,”  but by walking in the footsteps of Jesus.1John 2:5-6 TPT

So, what does it mean to walk in the footsteps of Jesus?  The footsteps that…went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Acts 10:38

Now, I realize we’re not Jesus, and that He had the Holy Spirit and power without measure when He walked the earth, and we do not, but we can look at His interaction with people to see how Love acts and how Love reacts, because sometimes we miss it. And I also realize that not all of us are in ‘ministry’ and may not live and breathe the gospel, but we can still look at these examples of Jesus’ ‘ministry’ life and see how we can apply to our ‘everyday’ life.

So, here’s the format. I’ve taken 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 from the Tree of Life version, which describes the love of God, and I’ve inserted the name of Jesus. Every thing in italics is what we learn about walking in love by tracing the footsteps of Jesus.

I use past tense, because I’m referring to Jesus when He walked the earth. We know He no longer walks the earth and is in heaven, and we also know that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever.

Jesus was patient

When crowds sought Jesus out in a desert place, He was patient about it. He received them. 

And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. Luke 9:10

Love is patient when interrupted while in solitude. 

Jesus was patient with Martha, who was anxious about serving, and seemed to be irritated with her sister. 

 

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from. Luke 10:39-42

 

Love is patient with personalities and dispositions.

 

Jesus was kind

We get a glimpse into the kind nature of Jesus when we read how close His disciples were to Him, especially John. People do not lean in to unkind people.

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? John 13:21-25

Love is kind. Kind is approachable, relatable, and safe.

When His disciples wanted the crowds to go home, Jesus extended kindness to them in the form of bread. He loved them in deed. (1 John 3:17-18 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.)

Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. Luke 9:16

Love is more than words, it is kindness shown in practical ways.

While teaching, Jesus did not overlook a woman who was all bent over. He stopped His teaching and set her free. 

And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. Luke 13:10-13

Love notices the hurting, and extends kindness that helps.

We know the Jewish people of that day did not fellowship with Samaritans, but when they offered Jesus some hospitality, He was kind enough to accept.  

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. John 4:39-40

 

Love is kind enough to accept hospitality, even from those in ‘different circles.’

Jesus was not envious

Jesus was not envious. He shared His power, and always encouraged the gifts in others. 

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. Luke 9:1-2

 

His disciples forbade one that was casting out devils in Jesus’ Name, because he did not follow them. Jesus allowed it.

 

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. Luke 9:49-50

Love doesn’t have to do everything and Love doesn’t have to get all the credit. Love works well with others. Love is not afraid to allow others to flourish in their individual callings and gifts.

Jesus did not brag 

Jesus didn’t brag about His power, in fact, He discouraged the broadcasting of it. 

 

And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. Luke 5:14-15

 

And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it ; And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. Mark 7:32-37

 

Love doesn’t have to brag about its powers with words, its powers speak loudly because of the acts.

Jesus was not puffed up

Jesus is most important! He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Name above all names. He is the One that baptizes in the Holy Ghost and fire, yet He went to be baptized of John in the Jordan river. John’s baptism was the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 

But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Matthew 3:14-15

Jesus came to earth as a baby, like us. He followed our steps by being born.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

Jesus, King of kings, rode into town on a lowly donkey.

Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. John 12:15

Love is not proud, it desires to please God in all things, no matter how lowly that thing is.

Jesus did not behave Himself inappropriately 

Jesus’ behavior was always appropriate in reflecting God’s love. Jesus did not condemn the woman to death that was caught committing adultery.

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8:10-11

 

Love is gracious.

Jesus did not refuse to break bread with sinners. 

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Luke 15:2

Love is compassionate.  

Jesus did not ignore the rich man with a bad reputation. He went to his house.

 

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. . . And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. Luke 19:5, 7-9

 

Jesus did not pass by the Samaritan woman without having a talk with her, even though Jewish people did not have dealings with Samaritans.

 

Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. John 4:4-9

 

Love does not discriminate

Jesus did not seek His own way

Jesus was more concerned about the people bewailing Him, than for His own suffering. He cried out, don’t weep for me, weep for yourselves and your children. 

And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. Luke 23:27-28

 

[on the cross] When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. John 19:26-27

Love cares for others, even in the midst of suffering.

Even though it was not His time yet, Jesus honored his mother and turned water into wine at a wedding. He met the need, and without requiring any recognition. The ruler of the feast commended the bridegroom, not Jesus. 

 

And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. John 2:3-10

 

Love does not mind being in the background.

 

Jesus, Lord and Master was among them as One that serves.  

For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Luke 22:27

Jesus washed the feet of those that would follow in His footsteps. 

Jesus washed the disciple’s feet to make a point. Love took a towel, poured water into a basin and washed feet. . . .He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded… If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. John 13:4-5, 14-15

Love serves others.

Jesus was not provoked

Jesus did not get irritated at Peter. Jesus understood Peter’s misunderstanding about taking up the sword. 

 

Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. Luke 22:36-38

 

When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. Luke 22:49-51

 

Love is understanding about the misunderstandings and mistakes of others.

Jesus kept no account of wrong

Jesus knew who would deny Him and who would betray Him, yet He walked with them. He taught them. He ate with them. He was good to them. After all He taught, (But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:44-45)

 

But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

John 6:64

 

Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? John 6:70

 

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve  And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. . .But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. . .And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. Luke 22:3-4, 21, 22:34

 

And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Luke 22:60-61

 

Love is good to all.

 

Jesus did not get offended when some chose to walk away. 

 

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. John 6:66 (notice the chapter and verse combo)

Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? John 6:67

 

Jesus was rejected by those in His own country; His own family, but He didn’t let that affect His ministry.

 

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. John 1:11

 

For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. John 4:44

 

For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him. John 7:4-5

 

Jesus didn’t get offended when the Samaritans didn’t receive Him, and He did not lash out at the them for their inhospitable act. His disciples wanted to send fire down from heaven though.

 

And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. Luke 9:52-55

 

 Love continues to love even when rejected.

Jesus did not rejoice over injustice, but rejoiced in the truth

Jesus celebrated the widow’s mite, because she was honest in her giving.

And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. Luke 21:1-4

Love rejoices in what is right.

Jesus didn’t like it when Judas opposed Mary’s good deed. Mary anointed the feet that would walk to the cross to save her.  He told Judas to leave her alone.

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. John 12:3-8

Love takes no pleasure in wrong.

Jesus bore all things

Jesus bore His cross. 

Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: John 19:16-17

Jesus drank of the cup His Father gave Him. 

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Luke 22:42

Jesus bore our sins.

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many… Hebrews 9:28

Love does what is necessary to fulfill God’s will.

Jesus believed all things

Jesus believed all things were possible. Jesus believed in people. 

 

Jesus believed Peter would be converted. 

Jesus believed Simon would strengthen the others. 

 

Of course, that was Jesus and He knew all things, but we are to believe for people in His name.

 

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:31-32

 

Jesus saw Peter as a rock. 

 

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. Luke 22:41-42

Love has faith. Sometimes when we see people, their situation looks hopeless. When they throw their worries at our feet, we believe God for them and pray for them in the Name of Jesus.

Jesus endured all things

As we have already seen, Jesus endured many things, and He endured them for us. He endured the death of the cross for us. 

 

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:6-8

 

He endured mocking and extremely cruel treatment, for us.

 

And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. Matthew 27:28-31

 

He didn’t have to, but He stayed on the cross, for us.

Save thyself, and come down from the cross. Mark 15:30

Love never quits.

Jesus never failed.

Jesus didn’t fail, and never will. God brought Him back to life, and gave Him a Name above all names.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. . .For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:9-10, 13

If you haven’t called on the Name of Jesus to save you yet, DO! He will!

In Christ, believers have been made partakers of the divine nature. The divine nature is love.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 2 Peter 1:3-10 NLT

 

The following is this blog summarized, in prayer form.

 

PRAYER

Holy Father, help me be patient in all times, even inconvenient times. Help me be a person that is approachable, relatable, safe. Lead me to the hurting and show me how to extend kindness in practical ways to ease their pain in some way. Show me how to be hospitable, and how to accept the hospitality of others. Remind me that I don’t have to do everything myself, or my own way, and I don’t have to receive all the credit. Help me work well with others and not be afraid to allow them to flourish in their own gifts and callings. Help me humbly submit to Your will, no matter how lowly the task. Remind me to never throw stones and not to discriminate. Give me strength to care for others even when I’m suffering. Help me be understanding of others, seek peace, and be good to all. When fault finders and slanders accuse, remind me who I am in You and who I am not. I will sing praises when truth wins out and do my best to defend the defenseless. May I have faith for others. When they throw their worries at my feet, I will pray for them in the name of Jesus. I will never walk away from Your great love no matter the disappointments and rejections I encounter in this life. I live to serve You and others. In Christ’s Name I pray, Amen.

Final thought

Jesus baptizes believers in the Holy Ghost and fire.  Could that fire be love? Fire is often indicative of the presence of God. God is love. 

But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within us is divine love in all its varied expressions: 

joy that overflows, 

peace that subdues,

patience that endures,

kindness in action,

a life full of virtue 

faith that prevails,

gentleness of heart, and

strength of spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 TPT