Topical Bible: Love to Man: Faith Works By

◄ Love to Man: Faith Works By ►

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In the Christian tradition, love for fellow human beings is a fundamental expression of faith. The Bible emphasizes that genuine faith is not merely an intellectual assent but is demonstrated through acts of love and service to others. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, who consistently highlighted the inseparable connection between faith and love.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, succinctly captures the essence of this relationship: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love" (Galatians 5:6). Here, Paul underscores that external religious rituals are secondary to the internal transformation that manifests as love-driven actions.

James, the brother of Jesus, further elaborates on this theme by challenging believers to demonstrate their faith through deeds. He writes, "So also faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead" (James 2:17). James argues that true faith is alive and active, evidenced by the love and care shown to others, particularly those in need.

The Teachings of Jesus

Jesus Himself taught that love for others is a reflection of one's love for God. In the Gospel of Matthew, He states, "And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’" (Matthew 22:39). This commandment, coupled with the command to love God, forms the foundation of Christian ethics. Jesus illustrated this principle through the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), where He redefines the concept of neighborly love as extending beyond cultural and ethnic boundaries.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The New Testament also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in enabling believers to love others genuinely. Paul writes to the Romans, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). The indwelling of the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to transcend natural inclinations and exhibit Christ-like love.

Practical Implications

The call to love others is not merely theoretical but has practical implications for daily living. The early church exemplified this through communal living and mutual support, as seen in Acts 2:44-45. Believers are encouraged to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to practice hospitality (1 Peter 4:9), reflecting the love of Christ in tangible ways.

Challenges and Encouragement

While the call to love others is clear, it is not without challenges. Human nature, marred by sin, often resists selfless love. However, believers are encouraged to persevere, drawing strength from their faith and the example of Christ, who loved sacrificially. Paul exhorts the Corinthians, "Let all that you do be done in love" (1 Corinthians 16:14), reminding them that love is the highest virtue and the ultimate expression of faith.

In summary, the biblical narrative consistently affirms that faith is authenticated by love for others. This love, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel and a reflection of God's love for humanity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 5:6
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love. ... to be seen as
a faith " (O. Michel, ). "Faith is the response, wrought in man, by God ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Library

What the Scriptures Principally Teach: the Ruin and Recovery of ...
... world, but to believe in Christ, and love him, and ... man, and this is the dignity of
man, and the ... exact rule,"credendorum et faciendorum,"of faith and manners ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture vi what the scriptures.htm

The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning
... What The Scriptures Principally Teach: The Ruin And Recovery Of Man. Faith And Love
Towards Christ. Lecture VII. ... Of The Creation 0f Man. Lecture XX. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/

Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love
... CHAPTER XXVIII. The Destiny of Man. CHAPTER XXIX. ... CHAPTER XXX. The Principles of
Christian Living: Faith and Hope. CHAPTER XXXI. Love. CHAPTER XXXII. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/

Saving Faith
... God. Faith works by love, and through love it purifies the soul, and the
man becomes a new creature. See ye then the wisdom of God? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/saving faith.htm

Wesley -- God's Love to Fallen Man
... in God, our patience and fortitude, our meekness, gentleness, and long-suffering,
together with our faith and love of God and man increase, must our ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/wesley gods love to.htm

Twofold Faith.
... by which the elect of God are saved; and that which acts the man is Self ... And again,
"Faith leads the way, fear upbuilds, and love perfects." Accordingly he ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xii twofold faith.htm

Its Evidence
... purifies the heart (Acts 15:9) and works by love (Gal.5:6 ... faith, but the testing
of those who claim to have faith. ... He declares that the man who is not a doer of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/9 its evidence.htm

Christ, the Great Teacher
... 25:31-46), showed the relation of man's faith and actions ... of self-sacrifice and a
new law of love for fallen ... about the right relation of God to man, man to man ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study i christ the great.htm

The Test of Discipleship
... If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in us, our ... "Little children, let
no man deceive you ... "By grace are ye saved through faith." But "faith, if it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 7 the test of.htm

Fruitless Faith
... in the Bible changes the nature of man, makes him hate the things he loved, and
love the things ... the seeking: it always comes with faith, and consequently ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/fruitless faith.htm