Imitators of God

Glory to God!

The Lord is speaking to us about His Agape love this year and yesterday He spoke to us about how He wants us to live a life of agape. This is what He showed us:

Just as Christ

1. Just as Jesus lived in the Father and the Father in Him, so do we. John 14:11; 17:21; 1 John 4:15
2. Just as Jesus came to seek and save the lost, so must we. Matthew 28:18-20; John 17:18; Acts 1:8
3. Just as Jesus lived in the Father’s love, so must we. John 17:26; 1 John 4:16
4. Just as Jesus lived to reveal the Father’s love, so must we. John 13:1; John 13:14, 35
5. Just as Jesus lived to reconcile man to the Father’s love with His life, His words and His actions, so must we. John 14:9-11; John 14:12,13; Eph. 5:1; 2 Cor. 5:17-20

Created, Empowered, Commanded

• The believer is created in Christ to love. Eph. 2:10; 4:24; Gal. 2:20; 1 John 4:7
• The believer is empowered through Christ to love. 2 Peter 1:3; 1 John 4:9
• The believer is commanded by Christ to love. John 15:12

"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." Ephesians 5:1,2

3 Characteristics of Agape

• Living a life of agape means living a life of sacrifice. Gal. 2:20; Rom. 12;1,2
• Living a life of agape means living a life of stewardship. Matt. 10:8; Prov. 3:9,10; 1 Cor.4:1,2; 6:19,20; 2 Cor. 9
• Living a life of agape means living a life of servanthood. Matt. 20:28; John 13:12-17; Heb. 6:10

The fruit of living a life of agape - of sacrifice, stewardship and servanthood

• Our lives please the Father. Eph. 5:1,2; Rom. 12:1
• Our lives benefit others. Heb. 6:10; 2 Cor. 9:12-15
• Our lives glorify God. Eph. 5:2; 2 Cor. 9:12-15

Summary

• We are created in Christ to live sacrificially
• We are empowered through Christ to live as stewards
• We are commanded by Christ to live as servants

We praise God for His revelation to us and His agape love for us as His dearly loved children. Our desire is to imitate Christ and live lives of love that please the Father, benefit others and glorify God.

On Saturday 25 February, KLF will be meeting together at 3pm at CZF (Salzschlirferstr.15) for an Info and Vision Day.

Quote of the week

"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." Ephesians 5:1,2

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