Christian Foundations (3) - Walking in Love

The Foundation for our Christian life is Jesus Christ Himself, who lives in us, when we believe the Gospel and receive Him as our Saviour and Lord (1Corinthians 3:11, Matthew 7:24-27). God has given us the MILK of the Word, so that we may grow spiritually from being a baby to being mature (1Peter 2:2, 1Corinthians 3:1-3). We grow to maturity by receiving and obeying (putting into practice) the MILK (Hebrews 5:13-14, James 1:22). The best measure of our SPIRITUAL MATURITY, developed through obeying the TRUTH (the MILK of the WORD) is how much we WALK in LOVE (1Peter 1:22, 1 Corinthians 13:2-3). Thus the MILK is designed to develop the LOVE of God in us. Peter commands us to keep increasing in love (1:22). The basis for this love is the rebirth of our spirit, by the incorruptible Seed (Word) of God, so now God’s incorruptible life and love now abide in our spirit (1:23-25). The Milk of the Word is able to cause us to grow in love, for as we (1) desire and drink (receive) it, and (2) do it (2:2), then (3) the love of God in our spirit will increasingly fill and control our soul. We grow spiritually by (1) receiving God’s love into our soul by faith, and then (2) yielding to it and expressing it in our words and actions. Then, in this way, (3) God’s love is developed and perfected in us (1John 2:5-6), through His Spirit of love indwelling and filling our soul: “(1) We have known and believed the love that God has for us. (2) God is love; and he who dwells in love (by walking in love), dwells in God, and (3) God (who is love) dwells in him” (1John 4:16). “(1) Beloved, if God so loved us, (2) we also ought to love one another... If we love one another, then (3) God dwells in us (walking in love causes more of His Spirit of love to flow into and fill our heart), and His love is perfected in us” (1John 4:11-12). To be perfected in love is spiritual maturity. “Love is of God; and everyone who loves is (1) born of God and (2) knows God” (1John 4:7). God is the Source of all love, so for you to walk in love, you m