Faith works by love
“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” Galatians 5:6
Faith does not operate in a vacuum. It is not ethereal nor is it a mystical ritual in which we must posture ourselves to have it and appropriate it in our lives. It’s not a commodity that we can acquire like shopping for groceries or buying furniture or a car, a house or any such things. It is given to us by God our Maker and our Provider. But faith is a measurable substance. That is, it can be seen in us, in whatever dimension it exist, by what we do because of it. If we have faith, we will say to things sanding in our way, “be removed and be cast into the sea!” and those things will obey us because of our faith.
When what we say or do aligns with the Word of God (the information displayed on the instruments panel in our plane) then we will have what we say and what we do shall prosper.
Faith is motivated and empowered Love. Love is the force of God in us that gives fuel to our faith, that gives it purpose and meaning, that gives it context and reason, both in the natural and in the spirit. In the natural, love helps us to see the needs of others and prompts a response in us from God to meet the need whenever, wherever, and however we can. In the spirit, motivated by love we will not be hindered by fear or delayed by doubt. We will not overthink our actions or be hesitant to act, to give or to speak a Word in season and out of season, being ready always to give a reason for the hope that is in us.
Love makes us fearless and reminds us that it’s not about us, but about our Lord Jesus Christ. How are we representing Him? How are we obeying Him? Are we cheerful, joyous, and prompt in our giving, or hesitant, fearful, and judgmental? Are we bold to speak the truth in love? Or are we easily silenced by the mind’s imaginations, fears, anxieties, or timidities. Motivated by love we are always doing, not just hearing the Words of God.
Are we loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, putting His service above and before all others and all things? Or are we so tethered to this world that God only gets from us what is left over after our best has been spent in things that are perishing?
Loving God puts us in a place to be energized for His service. Loving God motivates and empowers us to love others, even our enemies. Loving God gives us the understanding to love ourselves so that we can love our neighbors likewise. Love protects us from selfishness, fear, greed, and pride. Love fuels faith to make it work in any situation and at any time, because it is the free expression of God in us and through us to shine on others that they will see the light of Jesus and come to Him for life and that more abundantly. Faith is what we do in word and in deeds. That is the pathway to bringing the kingdom of God here on earth, and that faith works by love.