Love, Faith, and Fear (Part 4)

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us." ~ 1 John 4:11-12

One reason that God is concerned about us increasing in love is because our demonstrated love is one way He is made manifest to others.

As 1 John 4:11-12 indicates, people can't see God. But when we show love, others get a glimpse of Him.

The more people see God, the more they'll have faith in Him. 

It all comes full circle.

Love > Faith.

God bless,
J.W.

Faith, Fear, and Love (Part 3)

"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" ~ Galatians 5:14

Still unconvinced that increasing in love is more important than increasing in faith?

Galatians 5:14 says it all. 

The scriptures are ultimately fulfilled, not by having more faith; not by saying more prayers; and not by following the law to a T.

No, the scriptures are fulfilled by us showing more love. 

That's the thrust of the Scriptures - to move us to increase in love! 

God knows that when we increase in love, we will automatically increase in faith. 

Stay tuned. 

God bless,
J.W. 

Pure Truth (Part 2)

"For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord." ~ Psalm 33:4-5

There's a difference between fact and truth.

Facts tell us the way things are. Truth tells us the way things should be. 

Facts are a rendering of the current state of a thing. Truth speaks to the future.

Facts give us a framework with which to work but truth gives us the entire picture.

The next time someone tells you something, make sure you separate fact from truth.

The word of the Lord is always right. It always gives us truth, not just facts.

God bless,
J.W.

Faith, Fear, and Love (Part 2)

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

Need more proof that the way to more faith and less fear is through love?

See 2 Timothy 1 above.

Notice: God did not give us a spirit of FAITH instead of fear, but a spirit of love.

Why is that?

Because He knows that while faith is the ultimate goal, LOVE is the pathway that will lead us there.

The question is, are we willing to grow in love in order to grow in our faith?

More to come in the days ahead.

God bless,

J.W.

Faith, Fear, and Love (Part 1)

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." ~ 1 John 4:18

How can you increase your faith?

By increasing in love.

Why does increasing in love increase your faith?

Because according to 1 John 4:18, love casts out fear, which is the opposite of faith.

So, increasing your faith involves increasing your love.

In the days to come, we'll continue to explore the relationship between love, faith, and fear.

God bless,
J.W.

Pure Truth

"For the Lord gives wisdom; out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding." ~ Proverbs 2:6

The Bible, i.e. the Word of God, is a source of truth.

That doesn't mean that the Bible is the ONLY source of truth. 

Books by Christian authors, self-help books, and even other religion's "holy books" can have some semblance of truth within them. 

So why should we believe the Bible over other texts?

Because the Bible is the only source of pure truth. 

While other texts may require you to parse out that which is true from that which is not, the Bible is THE ONLY text in which truth is the only thing that could possibly emanate from it. 

Why? 

Because according to Proverbs 2:6, its Author gives wisdom. That's just what He does. According to Numbers 23:19, God does not lie. He is trustworthy. And because the Bible is His word, we can believe what it says.

So the question is, in your thirst for knowledge and understanding, would you rather drink from a pure well, or from a well that could be contaminated?

I don't know about you, but I'd rather drink from the purest water there is.

God bless,

J.W.

Faith Without Works (Part 2)

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." ~ Revelation 3:20

Even in salvation, God doesn't do it all Himself. He asks for our participation.

In Revelation 3:20, He says, "behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, then I'll come in and dine with him."

Here, God being God, He could have just opened the door Himself. But He asks us to respond to His call.

That is not to say that we must do something to earn God's love. Ephesians 2:8 says that salvation is a free gift. But we don't get the gift without action on our part.

So, if you want what God has for your life, don't just whine . . .  or complain . . . or feel entitled. Put yourself in position for God to move on your behalf and see if He won't do it.

He calls, but we must respond in action.

God bless,
J.W.