A natural outgrowth of FAITH—knowing (believing, trusting) that God loves us—is that we have love for one another. When God’s love is manifested in a person’s life, that person won’t be able to prevent himself from showing that love to others! It will gush forth like rivers of living water! Such love brings with it a strong, abiding faith in God and in His plans for us.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:11 NKJV, emphasis added)
No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. (1 John 4:12 NKJV, emphasis added)
And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. (1 John 4:21 NKJV)
Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints . . . (Ephesians 1:15 NKJV)
. . . that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love . . . (Ephesians 3:17 NKJV)
. . . since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints . . . (Colossians 1:4 NKJV)
But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— (1 Thess. 3:6 NKJV, emphasis added)
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. (1 Thess. 5:8 NKJV, emphasis added) The combination of faith and love, together, creates a breastplate that guards our hearts!
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 abounds toward each other, (2 Thess. 1:3 NKJV) Faith grows in an atmosphere of love.
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (1 Tim. 1:14 NKJV) Faith and love were cornerstone character traits of the Lord Jesus.
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim. 1:13 NKJV)
When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7 NKJV) What lifestyle will please the Lord? A lifestyle that is motivated by love—that treats everyone with honor and respect—fulfills Christ’s commandment that we love one another! The Lord will make our enemies be at peace with us when we live in such a pleasing way before Him!
decidingvoteblog 