"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour" (Ephesians 5:1-2).
If we are a "follower of God", we will walk in love. And, as in all things, Jesus is our example and model. Jesus loved us so much that He gave His life for us. When we are saved, God puts this same love inside of us. Now, most of us won't be asked to give up our lives in a dramatic way because of His love in us. In our case, we are most often called to do small but effective, practical things to help people experience the love of Jesus through us, and make a lasting impact on their lives.
Looks Like ...
Whether it is a complaining coworker, a complicated friendship, or a demanding family member, there will be times when we just want to give up on someone. It will seem as though all our love and patience has run out.
If we try to keep walking in love based on our personal feelings and strength, we are surely going to fail. We'll run out of steam and have nothing left to give. In such a case, we need to spend time reflecting on Jesus' example. His love was abounding in every situation He encountered, in every word He spoke, and in every step He walked - no matter how difficult.
The more we spend time in the Word, the more we will find ourselves empowered to walk in such love. This will become who we are and how we live. This will become our daily walk.
Ask Yourself ...
If you are having an issue with another person, ask the Lord to search your heart and then ask yourself, “Am I walking in and motivated by love?” If not, get your heart right first, and then deal with the problem at hand.