“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Galatians 5:6
For faith to work, it must first of all live. But how can faith live in wicked hearts that are spiritually dead (Mark 7:20-23; Ephesians 2:1)? God must make them alive and breathe faith into them. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws” (Ezekiel 36:26.27). So we might say that God’s love works faith into us so that we might work our faith out in love.
Once alive, our faith is to work itself out in love—for without love it is nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2). “If you love me, keep my commands,” Jesus said (John 14:15). Love fulfills every command (Romans 13:10). Jesus adds, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Such love for God and neighbor is to so characterize our lives that the world will take notice (John 13:35).
And remember, apart from Jesus, you can do nothing (John 15:5)!
Once alive, our faith is to work itself out in love—for without love it is nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2). “If you love me, keep my commands,” Jesus said (John 14:15). Love fulfills every command (Romans 13:10). Jesus adds, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Such love for God and neighbor is to so characterize our lives that the world will take notice (John 13:35).
And remember, apart from Jesus, you can do nothing (John 15:5)!
Scripture Focus
John 15:1-17
Insight
Faith without love is useless. Love without faith is meaningless. God’s love gave us faith to be worked out in love for God and one another.
Bible In A Year
- Deuteronomy 1-2
- Psalm 80
- Acts 1
