Love One Another - Part Five
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Faith Works By Love
John 13 (KJV 2000)
1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.
Galatians 5 (KJV 2000)
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love.
Galatians 6 (KJV 2000)
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
There is a powerful equivalence in the two verses immediately above. Paul points out that circumcision or uncircumcision isn’t significant in the things of God. What matters is being a new creation, which is presented as being functionally equivalent to “faith which works by love”.
Reading through the Epistles of Paul, you will notice that he consistently commends the saints for their faith in the Lord Jesus and their love for other believers.
Ephesians 1 (KJV 2000)
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Colossians 1 (KJV 2000)
4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have to all the saints,
1 Thessalonians 3 (KJV 2000)
6 But now when Timothy came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
2 Thessalonians 1 (KJV 2000)
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all toward each other abounds;
1 Timothy 1 (KJV 2000)
5 Now the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
Philemon (KJV 2000)
5 Hearing of your love and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
Your walk by faith should be motivated and inspired by your walk in love.
Matthew 14 (KJV 2000)
14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Mark 6 (KJV 2000)
34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw many people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Notice that the gospel accounts record that Jesus’ teaching and healing ministry was motivated by His compassion for the people. He healed them and taught them because He loved them. A deep love and concern for the welfare of others is essential to true success in the ministry. There are many who are motivated by other things – in the long run such people fail in ministry.
1 Corinthians 12 (KJV 2000)
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet I show unto you a more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 14 (KJV 2000)
1 Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts...
In between the 12th and 14th chapters of First Corinthians, is the 13th chapter, Paul’s great exposition of love. In the 12th chapter he had encouraged the Corinthians to walk in the gifts of the Spirit in a decent and orderly manner. The background to his teaching about love in the 13th chapter was to point out that love is the best motivation for a desire to be used of God in the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit.
If you would be used of God, abound in walking in love! Love took Jesus out of His comfort zone and caused Him to go about doing good, preaching and teaching and healing. Love took Jesus to the cross and kept Him there, when He could have ended all the agony with just one flick of His hand. Love arrested Saul of Tarsus and turned a wicked Jew into the great apostle to the Gentiles.
2 Corinthians 12 (KJV 2000)
14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
1 Corinthians 13 (KJV 2000)
8 Love never fails...
Continue in grace!