As we conclude our series on ‘Understanding the Life of Faith and Grace’, today we explore how the love of God empowers us to walk in faith, enabling us to lay hold of what grace has availed to us and leading us into the fullness of His rest. We now understand that faith is essential for us to access the abundant blessings we have through grace. And from Scripture we know that this faith is not derived from our own works, but rather, that we have ‘obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ’ (2 Peter 1:1). Romans 12:3 further assures us that ‘God has dealt to each one the measure of faith’, meaning that all believers have received the same faith, pound for pound, and all have the capacity to appropriate what has been made available by grace. And while everyone has received the same measure of faith, its effectiveness can be hindered by doubts that subtly creep into our hearts. To overcome these doubts, we must constantly keep ourselves in the Word of God, allowing its light to illuminate our hearts and minds (Psalm 119:130).
It is crucial to note that our faith is empowered and activated through love – understanding God’s love for us is the foundation on which our faith becomes effective. As Galatians 2:20 profoundly declares, ‘I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.’ Our comprehension of God’s love enables our faith to appropriate all that is provided through grace. Faith and love are inseparable, and Scripture affirms this, saying, ‘For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love’ (Galatians 5:6). Jude 1 also encourages us, saying, ‘But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life’ (vs.20-21). Church, we must strive to enter into the reality of God’s love for us and confidently walk in it, so that our faith becomes effective. Romans 8:38-39 reassures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, empowering us to come boldly to the throne of grace, ‘that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need’ (Hebrews 4:16). Therefore, as we diligently labour to keep our faith pure and unhindered, we also anticipate God’s mercy, knowing that instead of judgement, we receive His gracious pardon.
Romans 5 reminds us that ‘the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit … For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly … But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (vs.5-8). The assurance of God’s love for us provides a rock-solid foundation for our faith to work effectively. Embracing this love wholeheartedly empowers us to walk confidently in everything we have received in Christ Jesus. This understanding is why Apostle Paul declares, ‘For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle … But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me’ (1 Corinthians 15:9-10). Church, it takes humility to fix our eyes on what God has done rather than our own shortcomings. Let us therefore continue to labour to accept His unmerited favour towards us by renewing our minds daily to the truth of His promises and His unchanging love for us, so we can walk boldly in the abundant life He has prepared for us.
Prayer
Father, we thank You for Your love that empowers us to lay hold of all we possess in grace by faith. Thank You for Your Word, which strengthens our understanding of this love, enabling us to walk confidently in the reality of the abundant blessings we have in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
