FAITH: Comes by Hearing the Word of God
Romans 5:7–8: For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
FAITH: Comes by Studying the Word of God
Clearly Christ’s death was a substitutionary death, a death in place of others. A person willing to die for a righteous man or for a good man obviously is offering himself as a substitute so that the righteous or good man can continue to live. This is the highest expression of human love and devotion. However, God’s love contrasts with human love in both nature and degree, because God demonstrates (“keeps on showing”) His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He died in the place of the powerless, the ungodly, sinners, and even His enemies! 1
FAITH: Comes by Obeying the Word of God
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18
Jesus, thank You for Your great love. We were so undeserving, and yet Your were so willing. We were so engrossed in our sin and selfish living, and yet You were so willing. We were so offensive to Your holiness, and yet You were so willing. The demonstration of Your love is so humbling. Your tender love breaks the most hardened sinner’s heart.
FAITH: Comes by Experiencing the Transforming Work of God
God’s love came to me when I was so loveless to Him.
FAITH: Comes by Praying with the Word of God
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3:16
Dear Father, please teach me more about how to love others…in Jesus Name. Amen.
1. Witmer, J. A. (1985). Romans. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary.
