Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:2

I love the opening phrase, “Walk in love.”  Not in hate or judgement, etc., but in love.  Love is the controlling emotion in our relation to God. He loved us so much that he paid the unbelievably high price of our redemption.  That is where we stand, in the embrace of God’s love.  The question is, what does that mean for me?

Paul goes to the heart of that question.   His answer?  “Just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.”  That is the high standard!  Who can attain to that?  This is where grace takes over and we repent of selfishness and flee to God for refuge.

And live with Jesus as He does the good work in us. Jesus gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Now, He is in us to do the very same thing, that we should be a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

It is Sunday morning, time to go to Chestnut Hill Mennonite Church, where our close friends in Christ will be worshipping this morning, a group that includes us!  That is a precious miracle, wonderful beyond words.  We have human family, that is for sure and we praise God endlessly for them.  But we are also in the group of believers with whom we walk here and now, seeking the grace of God to  touch our spirits today.  We receive with joy and gratitude!