The Faith To Love
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6
I’ve been around Christians and Christianity for thirty-five years now. I’ve been associated with Baptist, Pentecostal, Catholic and non-denominational organizations and churches. I’ve seen mysterious, authentic movements of God’s Spirit that have transformed people’s lives, and had conversations with pseudo-religious nuts who proclaimed they were the only ones who held true to “The One True Faith.” It’s been a wild ride.
Since I was saved in the 70’s, I’m quite familiar with the Faith movement. You know, those who liked to “name” their blessing and “claim” it in Jesus’ name. However, Galatians 5:6 sets that idea on its head, for Paul says that the ultimate expression of faith is not for the accumulation of things, but to express itself through love.
Scripture does not encourage us to have faith for prosperity, ministry, jobs, success, popularity, houses, the newest cell phone or a huge 401k. True, we are to have faith for our “daily bread,” but mostly we need to have a faith that expresses itself through love.
Jesus only gave us one “new” commandment: “Love one another” (John 13:34). Of course, this is not really a new commandment, but a remembrance of an old one (Lev. 19:18). After all the religious pomp and circumstances had been swept away, living in love was a new way of thinking for the first disciples of Christ. This was not a new commandment; it was simply new to the disciples. The disciples were looking for a Messiah that would establish the Kingdom and annihilate their enemies, of which there were many. But Jesus reminds us to love one another; and not only those who already love us, but even our enemies and those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:14).
I’ll admit this is a hard thing to wrap my mind around. Is Paul telling me that if I ground my faith in anything but love then it doesn’t count? I think so. I wonder if this is why some people’s faith regarding healing goes unanswered. If a person wouldn’t use their healing as an avenue to love other people, then perhaps God will continue to work on healing their spirit before He heals their body (Mark 2:1-11). The same goes for money. I think God keeps some people in financial limbo because if they had an abundance of money they’d spend it selfishly on themselves.
A former pastor of mine was fond of saying, “You are blessed to be a blessing.” Every aspect of my life is intended to be a blessing to others. If I am healthy, wealthy and wise, then God intends those blessings to be freely given to those who need it most. Perhaps Paul is reminding all of us that it is time to have the faith to love with all our resources – heart, soul, mind and strength – for in the end that will be the only type of love-faith that will count.
Previously posted April ’09
Thinking Out Loud 
Hi Jim
“The disciples were looking for a Messiah that would establish the Kingdom and annihilate their enemies, of which there were many.”
Not really.
Some of his disciples I understand were illiterate fishermen, common “Main Street” type folk. The people looking for a Messiah to annihilate their enemies are still here today and still waiting. I do not think the disciples were the kind of people waiting for annihilation of anyone or even waiting for a Messiah, period.
You have hit on an area that I believe many miss in life. From the core of some of the books in the Old Testament to the New, the parts to me make any sense is the continuity of the thought of loving and respecting neighbor. The ten Commandments were based on these concepts and so were the words of Jesus.
There is not contradiction or too much of one there and may apply to all faiths, many have the same foundations.
We just garbled it up in our legalese and dogma through the years, and will continue to do so.
If Christ were to make thing perfectly clear on the Oprah Winfrey today, his message would be twisted by tomorrow and the cops would be looking for him as a con man or nut within six months.
That is life 🙂
Hi Jim;
I convoluted a few paragraphs above. I read them today and thought to myself, that is bad English.
In any case I think the message I was trying to write comes across.
No, I wasn’t drinking and don’t do drugs except for tobacco, which is not known to give dyslexia on the keyboard.
It must have been too late 🙂
Sorry about that.
I understand about garbled writing. I do it all the time.
Yes, in many ways many people for many centuries we have messed up the central message of God and His Word to mankind. However, it doesn’t make the central message of His love for us any less compelling. A bad ambassador for the U.S. may misrepresent America through his ineptitude and immoral behavior, but it does not tarnish the basic precepts of our nation, nor does it cancel the beauty and effectiveness of the Constitution. The same thing applies to God. A few bad representatives does not cancel His goodness and love for His creation. Have, and will, bad representatives mislead people who are honestly searching for God and His loving truth.
I disagree with your disagreement with me. Literate or not, the majority of Israelites at the time of Jesus were looking for an actual, human Messiah (Anointed One), a King that would triumph over their enemies. This is why they were not ready for Jesus to die and did not comprehend a resurrection until later. That the Gospel spread as it did and the Apostles were all willing to risk their lives on this message is one of the most compelling evidences for the death and resurrection of Jesus. It took the Apostles a while to reconcile their understanding of a Messiah — an actual earthly King — and the one God was manifesting.
Blessings,
Jim
Hi Jim;
I base the argument that I make on the observation of people, and I have known plenty in my life.
I think Jesus selected the apostles based on who they were at the time, simple, unassuming men for the most part, fending for their families.
I understand where you come from and I respectively disagree with you.
However, I do agree with the love aspect of this. There is not enough of it around. Sometimes I wonder if that is just nature, being selfish in respect to needs and survival and that love is something to aspire to?
As it were, the heading is Scriptures that Bother Me. I was trying to be helpful 🙂