Faith comes and faith grows by hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:16-17). And faith grows in trouble (Rom. 5:1-5; 1 Pet. 1:3-11). Faith works by love (Gal. 5:6). It evidences itself outwardly in love for Christ’s people. Faith that does not love is not faith in Christ. Love that does not look to Christ with God-given faith, and worship Him as a sinner saved by grace (John 20:28), rises no higher than human love. And there is nothing commendable in mere human love, because when human love is alone without faith in Christ, it rejects the love of God in Christ. Love that does not have its spring in the love of God to us in Christ, and does not come to God looking to Christ in adoring worship and complete dependence, is a self-serving, man-created thing that does not honor Christ as all, and therefore does not honor Him at all. Faith that God gives looks only to Christ crucified, risen, reigning and interceding ,as all my salvation, to save me to the uttermost (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25). The faith of God’s elect loves Christ and loves those for whom He gave Himself to God in sacrifice for their sins. Such faith is God-given and precious beyond the best works of man and all the treasures of this world (Rom. 8:34; Eph. 5:25; Acts 20:28; 1 John 4:19, 9-10).
“Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet (right), because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth” (2 Thessalonians 1:2-3).
“Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet (right), because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth” (2 Thessalonians 1:2-3).
Rick Warta
RSS Feed