As covered in this study, our high calling is to conform to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29-30; Philippians 3:7-14). What does the image of Christ practically looks like? It is Love – for “God is love” (1 John 4:8). We are conformed to the image of Christ to the degree that we love God, and love others. This is the sum of God’s commandments to us (Matthew 22:37-38), and His ultimate purpose for giving His law and sending Jesus to fulfill it.
To love God is not merely to have a fondness for Him and His work. Rather, our actual obedience to God constitutes our love for Him. According to the Scriptures “this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments” (1 John 5:3). Jesus also taught this truth when He said “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments (John 14:15). In the words of Jesus “loving God is the first and greatest commandment”. Even so, obedience to God should be the greatest devotion of our lives.
Our love for God is also revealed in our love for others. 1 John 4:20-21 says, “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also”. Jesus gave two yardsticks to measure the love we ought to give others: just as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:40) and just as He has loved us (John 15:12). Ephesians 5:29 teaches that “no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it”. Therefore, if we are to love others as ourselves, then we are to nourish (build up and make better with our words, actions and substance) and cherish (honor, value, and hold in high esteem) them (also see 1 Corinthians 13). Again we are told “we know love by this, that Jesus laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16). Although we can never love others by dying in their stead to save them from their sins, because only the Son of God can do this (John 1:29; Romans 5:19), the principle of sacrifice in Jesus’ death is what we are called to emulate. If we are not willing to sacrifice for others, in going out of our way to nourish and cherish them, we will never measure up to the kind of love God expects us to give. Love requires sacrifice.
The good news is that the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). If we have believed in Jesus, then we have been enriched with God’s love, and empowered to love others with that same love. We, therefore, have to believe God’s love for us (1 John 4:16), believe that His love is in us (Romans 5:5), abide in His love (i.e. obey Him – John 15:10) and love others with that same love (John 13:34). The distinguishing feature this love, which we are supposed to exhibit and be conformed to, is shown in the following verses of Matthew 5: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:43-48).
It is when we walk in this love – the love of God – that we fulfill our high calling to conform to the image of Christ, who is the image of God, the Father (Hebrews 1:3).
Kwadwo Omari, PhD.
© October 16, 2017