Love on Two Levels

Paul begins chapter 5 the way he did with the chapters that precede it. He starts with the general, then he moves to the specific. Verses 1 and 2 are the general contents of the entirety of chapter 5. That being said, he starts with a truth claim and a call to action. These are also familiar to Paul's writings. The truth claim? Christians are the children of God and are declared as such (as in 1 John 3:2). Christians are the "beloved" children of God which means that God extends a great amount of love to His people. The call to action is a life walked in love. This, Jesus exemplified by going to the cross and bearing His life for the sins of men. Paul calls believers to live out this walk in love the same way that Jesus loved us. This love that Jesus loved us with is the same love that the Father loves Jesus and of which Jesus glorified Him (John 15:9). The Christian life is a high call, but one that is most glorious as it is continually lived in love.