Love Activates Faith

LOVE ACTIVATES FAITH

Main Text: Galatians 5:5-11, 22-23 (AMP)

LET'S REVIEW:

1. FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

JAMES 2:17 (AMP) So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective].

2. EXERCISE YOUR FAITH

2 PETER 1:5 (AMP) For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence

GOD'S PROMISES AREN'T AUTOMATIC, THEY'RE ACTIVATED

THE CONDITIONAL IS OBEDIENCE

MATTHEW 6:33 (AMP) But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

Luke 6:38 (AMP) Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return."

Matthew 6:14 (AMP) For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

THE CONDITION OF FAITH IS LOVE

Walk by the Spirit

Galatians 5:5 (AMP) For we [not relying on the Law but] through the [strength and power of the Holy] Spirit, by faith, are waiting [confidently] for the hope of righteousness [the completion of our salvation].

A. The believer does not grow to Christlikeness by keeping the Law of Moses—that law had a purpose (to serve as a tutor to lead people to Christ) and was never intended to cause people to grow in Christ.

B. Instead, believers should be walking by the Spirit of God (according to His Word) and allowing Him to bear fruit in their lives (Galatians 5:22–23).

Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Faith Works Through Love

Galatians 5:6 (AMP) For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love.

A. Believers have no capacity to accomplish this kind of love in their own flesh.

B. Because faith expresses itself through love, you can check your love for others as a way to monitor your faith.

C. When we receive God's forgiveness, we soon begin to want to love others as he loves us. This includes forgiving people for their wrongs against us. God's forgiveness is complete, and those who are forgiven much love much

HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS LOVE THING:

The Use of Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (AMP) Now about the spiritual gifts [the special endowments given by the Holy Spirit], brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served]. And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good. To one is given through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] the message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] the word of knowledge and understanding according to the same Spirit; to another [wonder-working] faith [is given] by the same [Holy] Spirit, and to another the [extraordinary] gifts of healings by the one Spirit; and to another the working of miracles, and to another prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and to another discernment of spirits [the ability to distinguish sound, godly doctrine from the deceptive doctrine of man-made religions and cults], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues. All these things [the gifts, the achievements, the abilities, the empowering] are brought about by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, distributing to each one individually just as He chooses.

• In the next set of versus he speaks of the different parts of the body all fulfilling their roles, so I jumping down to verse 29

1 CORINTHIANS 12:29-31 (AMP) Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal]. And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].

HOW WE WALK OUT THIS LOVE THING:

The Excellence of Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (AMP) If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God's love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing. If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all.
Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].
Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part [for our knowledge is fragmentary and incomplete]. But when that which is complete and perfect comes, that which is incomplete and partial will pass away. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God]. And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God's love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.

The Trick of the enemy is to get you offended, bitter, frustrated

We often limit what God can do through us because we don't handle offense well.

WISDOM KEYS

WISDOM KEY #1 - DON'T OPEN THE DOOR TO THE ENEMY THROUGH HATE

EPHESIANS 4:26-27 (AMP) Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down. And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness].

WISDOM KEY #2 - ANGER TAKES US OUT OF POSITION

JAMES 1:19-20 (AMP) Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving] for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us].

WISDOM KEY #3 - WE MUST LEARN TO BE UNOFFENDABLE

PSALM 119:165 (AMP) Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble.

Discussion Questions

1. Galatians 5:6 states that "faith activated and expressed and working through love." How is your faith currently being expressed through love in your daily life?
2. The passage emphasizes that we can "check your love for others as a way to monitor your faith." If you honestly assess your love for others, what does it reveal about the state of your faith?
3. First Corinthians 13:1-3 warns that spiritual gifts, knowledge, faith, and even sacrifice mean nothing without love. Have you ever operated in gifting or service without love? What was the result?
4. Love is described with specific characteristics: patient, kind, not jealous, not boastful, not rude, not self-seeking, etc. Which characteristic of love do you struggle with most?
5. The message states that "we often limit what God can do through us because we don't handle offense well." What offense are you currently holding onto that might be limiting God's work in your life?
6. Ephesians 4:26-27 warns not to let anger last until sundown and not to give the devil an opportunity. How quickly do you typically resolve anger, and what happens when you let it linger?
7. James 1:19-20 says that "the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." When has your anger prevented you from experiencing or displaying God's righteousness?
8. Psalm 119:165 promises "great peace" to those who love God's law because "nothing shall offend them." What would it look like practically to become "unoffendable"?
9. The fruit of the Spirit includes "patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting]." How are you currently acting while waiting for God to move in your situation?
10. First Corinthians 13:13 concludes that faith, hope, and love remain, but "the greatest of these is love." Why do you think love is greater than faith and hope?

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