Desire To Live A Life Of Love: Be A Student Of The Lord Jesus

Jesus came to show us what true love looks like – a life of giving and sacrifice, Amen? He came and personified love for us, to demonstrate to us how we are to walk in Him. The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV): “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” As our Lord Jesus did, we abase - sacrificially humbling ourselves - and our God exalts in due time. We give ourselves to Him – placing our lives in His all powerful Hands, and in love for Him and others – serve as Jesus did – through His power and for His glory.  
Paul himself stated that even if he were being “poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming for your faith,” he remained glad as well as joyful. As Jesus’ followers, we are to do likewise. If it pleased the Father, it pleased Paul – no matter the cost. This remained true of the Hebrews 11 “Who’s Who” crowd as well. Our motivation to action is love for the Master and love for others. And love does. It is an action not merely a sentiment. We are to warm our hearts and revive our spirits by dwelling on His great love for us. When we are stirred to sacrifice for love’s sake – pointing others to the Lord Jesus - it is often costly. Yet remember, unstirred coals put forth very little heat. And we will never outgive God, BTW, as He will be no man’s debtor.
The Holy Spirit resides within every true believer in Christ. He is indispensable to us as human beings as He equips us to do what mere flesh cannot - to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel. He strengthens and empowers us to be like Jesus - Who was to be the Firstborn among many brothers. We cannot love rightly or walk rightly apart from Him. The mind controlled by the Holy Spirit is both life and peace. The indwelling Spirit also enables us to consider Jesus’ ways and promises given us in Scripture, which stand at the ready for our use. This is living life to the fullest by taking hold of the life that is truly life.