FAITH: Comes by Hearing the Word of God
Romans 13:9–10: For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
FAITH: Comes by Studying the Word of God
When you love your neighbor you will refrain from adultery. When you love your neighbor you will regard his life as sacred. When you love your neighbor you will respect his ownership of property. There is a sense in which love for our neighbor is a more obvious measure of where we stand with God. We can easily convince others that we love God, but it is far more difficult to fake love for our neighbors. Thus our love for others provides a helpful measure of our spiritual state. 1
FAITH: Comes by Obeying the Word of God
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13
We live in the land of liberty, but our liberty can become rather self-serving. God set us free, not to return to a selfish lifestyle, but to begin a new “serving others journey” that ultimately leads into heaven. We were bought at a price. Notably by His blood. He is our Master. We serve Him, by serving others in His name and with His gospel.
FAITH: Comes by Experiencing the Transforming Work of God
My love for others is an open revelation about my true love for God.
FAITH: Comes by Praying with the Word of God
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7
Dear Father, please impart that kind of persevering love into my life. Thank You!
1. Hughes, R. K. (1991). Romans: righteousness from heaven (p. 251). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
