Articles
"In Love"
"In Love"
Tyler King
Among many other objectives in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he wanted to make sure they were conscious of being in love. No, not the feeling we experience with grade school crushes or the energy we have for Hawaiian pizza. Rather, Paul was mindful of the “in love” that comes from God and the spiritual connections that come from it. In 6 different verses we encounter εν αγαπη translated to “in love.”
- God adopts His children in love (1:4,5) — We were not adopted as His children ought of pity. God knew we would need to be saved from our own mistakes, so He set a plan in motion. Paul says this took place “before the foundation of the world.” God knew Eden would be defiled and we would be detached, but through His love we inherited an eternal kinship.
- God’s children are established in love (3:17) — Paul explains that by being “rooted” and grounded” in love, we can work together to know the love of Christ; something that surpasses man’s mind! The clause of this is found in 3:18, “that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” Daily, we must ask the question “how much of God do I want in my life?” It is by being found in this love that we are filled with God.
- God’s children deal with each other in love (4:2) — Families have issues and can often be divisive. We are all separate entities trying to resolve ourselves to one body. By being “in love” we can tolerate, endure, and bear with one another. We do this to maintain unity in the Spirit (4:3). If divisions and factions win, it’s a clear indicator that one or both parties were far from love.
- God’s children speak truth in love (4:15) — We have done a fair job of addressing the inclusion of love when we talk with others. But let’s not forget the prior verse to 15: “that we may not be tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrines.” We need to hold on to the truth given by God, not man, and talk about it with others in love. Doing so, we grow in Christ.
- God’s children build up in love (4:16) — the apostle explains, “when everything is working properly” we are able to achieve progression as a church (and family). Consider everything else up to this point and what Paul is hammering to the readers. If we want to be a functional family, we must be found “in love” with God and each other.
- God’s children walk in love (5:2) — Paul unpacks the example of Jesus to drive this point home. He says, we are to walk in love “as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.” The Christian walk is not called a “Christian sit,” “Christian watch,” “Christian convenience.” It’s a walk and a way of life. Look at 5:1 for the affirmation of this command, “be imitators of God.” When we walk in love, we follow the footsteps of Christ.
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