Love by Faith

Good morning, today is a day the Lord has made and again I choose to rejoice in this opportunity to witness his faithfulness and his mercy.  Paul wrote to the Church at Galatia, ‘Gal 5:5 KJ2000 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.’   Imagine that we are waiting for the hope through faith. That hope can only be obtained through faith. He goes on to say, ‘Gal 5:6 KJ2000 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love.’ Now this faith we are waiting on comes through LOVE.  

Now most of us have been taught that our acts of obedience and works was the key to our faith.  We believed that we could get what we wanted all we had to do Is believe it or hope for it.  Paul said our works or acts of completing lawful requirements availed us nothing and sincerely brothers and sisters we can't work our way into the kingdom nor does it come as a right because someone performed a Covenant act for us. 

Typically, the act of circumcision was performed at one’s birth by another Individual. (eight days by Jewish custom).  I have yet to hear of any infant refusing to be circumcised.  That means we did nothing and had no choice in the matter. Paul is saying without love this act means nothing.
What is interesting, that faith can only be fulfilled through love:  again, LOVE is the answer to what we lack in our daily lives.

The Chapter continues and we find this verse, Gal 5:13 KJ2000 For, brethren, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  Our liberty and our works are important not when we please our own flesh but only when we serve one another. Can you Imagine the liberty exercised to serve one another and not ourselves? The removal of self-interest, self centered thoughts, self driven motives even selfish thoughts and actions. There is a freedom when exercised in love that produces a sweet-smelling aroma and an environment that invites love into the lives of others through faith which works only through love.  This cannot be produced without the love each of us must possess.

The final verse, ‘Gal 5:14 KJ2000 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ What could not be done by law was completed by love. That one-word Paul refers to in that verse can only be love. 

​Todays Challenge Is to love as we would want to be loved. Remember the law has to be fulfilled not removed or destroyed.  Let us by faith fulfill the law by loving those we come into contact with, even if it would seem they don't deserve to be loved.  God bless you, my beloved.
Mon 6:37am