Friday, July 18, 2014

Faith and Love

- God's command here consists of two parts: to believe in in the Name of Jesus Christ and to love one another (our brothers and sisters in Christ). To believe in the Name of Jesus Christ means to believe all the truths which His Name implies...to believe all that Christ is. He is the Messiah...the Savior...the Son of God...the Lord... Emmanuel (God with us)... To sum up this command in 2 words: Faith & Love. Faith and love go hand in hand. We cannot truly love one another as Christ loves us without faith in Christ, nor can we truly believe in Him without love. Faith without works (obedience out of love/love in action) is dead. "If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:2b) "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." (Galatians 5:6b) "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14) Faith and love!
- The Holy Spirit bears witness that Christ lives in us. A fruit of our union with Christ is love and obedience. Our dwelling/abiding in Christ and Christ in us enable us to bear fruit and keep His commandments. "I am the Vine; you are the branches. If you remain (abide) in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

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