The Need for Intentionality

Walking in the way of love, as described in Scripture, doesn’t happen by accident. It requires conscious intentionality - a deliberate choice to align our hearts and actions with God’s will. Just as a vine needs a trellis to guide its growth and bear fruit, we need an intentional way of life to help us bear the fruit of love.

God, in his wisdom, has provided us with means of grace to support our growth in love. These include the fellowship of the church, prayer, Scripture study, worship, fasting, and the sacraments, to name a few. These practices serve as our spiritual trellis, guiding us toward a more Christ-like love.

Developing a Rule of Life

To walk consistently in the way of love, we need more than good intentions; we need a plan. In the Christian tradition, this is often called a “rule of life” - a set of practices and commitments that shape our daily living. This rule serves as a rail to guide us in godliness and help us grow in our capacity to love.

Your rule of life might include regular Bible study, like this one, along with other spiritual disciplines. The key is to thoughtfully develop ways to employ these means of grace in your daily routine, moving you steadily in a godly direction.

The Shape of Sacrificial Love

As we seek to cultivate intentional love, it’s crucial to understand what this love looks like in practice. The Apostle Paul provides a vivid picture in Ephesians 5:1-2:

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and 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.

This passage reveals that true Christian love is sacrificial. It follows the example of Christ, who gave himself up for us. This sacrificial love goes beyond warm feelings or kind words; it involves giving of ourselves for the good of others, even when it’s costly or uncomfortable.

Love in Action

What does this sacrificial love look like in everyday life? Paul gives us practical examples in his letters. In addition to the list we explored in the previous post, consider these actions from Colossians 3:12-14:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

These virtues - compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, and forgiveness - are the practical outworkings of sacrificial love. They require us to put others before ourselves, to extend grace even when it’s difficult, and to persistently seek the good of others.

The Power of God’s Love

As we strive to cultivate this intentional, sacrificial love, we may feel overwhelmed by the high standard set before us. However, we must remember that our ability to love in this way stems not from our own strength, but from the love we have received from God.

The apostle John reminds us in 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us.” Our love for God and others is a response to and reflection of the immense love God has shown us in Christ. As we experience more deeply the reality of God’s love for us, we become more capable of extending that love to others.

Growing in Love

Growth in love is a lifelong journey. It involves both receiving God’s love more fully and learning to extend that love to others more consistently. This growth happens as we abide in Christ, allowing his life to flow through us.

Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine and branches in John 15:5 to illustrate this concept: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” As we remain connected to Christ, the true source of love, we naturally begin to produce the fruit of love in our lives.

The Impact of Intentional Love

When we walk intentionally in the way of love, it has a profound impact not only on our own lives but on the world around us. This kind of love stands out in a world often characterized by selfishness and division. It serves as a powerful witness to the power of the gospel.

As followers of Christ who practice intentional, sacrificial love, we become living examples of what the world truly needs. We demonstrate that love is more than a feeling or a slogan - it’s a way of life that brings healing, reconciliation, and hope to a broken world.

Reflection Questions

1. What spiritual disciplines or means of grace have been most helpful in your growth in Christlike love?

2. How can you make your practice of love more intentional in your daily life?

3. In what ways have you experienced God’s sacrificial love for you personally?

4. How might your relationships change if you consistently practiced the virtues listed in Colossians 3:12-14?

5. What obstacles do you face in growing in sacrificial love, and how can you overcome them?

Action Steps

1. Create a simple “rule of life” that includes practices to help you grow in love.

2. Choose one person this week to whom you can show sacrificial love in a tangible way.

3. Spend time meditating on God’s love for you, perhaps by studying passages like Ephesians 3:14-19 or Romans 8:31-39.

Thank you for joining me today in this exploration of intentional, Christlike love. If you’ve found this post encouraging, please consider sharing it with others who might benefit. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more weekly devotionals and Bible studies. Remember, there are additional resources available on the website that don’t go out via email. You can find more devotionals, Bible studies, and other resources by visiting Walking Points.