Faith, Love, and the Spirit

Faith, Love and the Spirit ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ January 29, 2010
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written. The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17

It seems that my Christian life has been supercharged by the Lord through the leading of one scriptural theme. I discovered it more than a few years ago, but was unaware of the power of it until recently. In it is all the potential, all the potency for a life of peace with God. It is this:

Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:35-40

When I first read this I am sure I understood the second commandment. But how do I do the first? How can I love someone I cannot even see? He is not on earth as a man anymore. God is in heaven. How wrong I was. God is in the earth today. The Holy Spirit is with us. John 14.26; John 15.26, 27; John 16.7-15; John 20.22; Acts 1.4, 5; Acts 2.1-4.

We walk by faith not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5.7 If we walk by faith with God whom we cannot see, then we are also able to love him by that same faith. Faith is a mystery to those without faith, and (for persons like me) it may remain much a mystery even after it has opened the gates of salvation in Jesus for us.

The thing that has helped me most is to believe, to believe Jesus and to really believe that what God has commanded I am able to do. I may not have ever done it before or have the first idea of how to start doing it now. But would God command anyone to do something and then leave them unable to do it? That would be a cruel, frustrating, embittering and purposeless waste of everyone’s time even God’s. God is not cruel; He is Love. He is not frustrating; He is enabling. He is not embittering; He gives us peace, joy, and patience. If He asks of us, we can give it. If He commands us, we can do it. If He promises to us, we will receive it. God does know we will fail in our own strength, and He will allow it, and will use our failure to move us to desperation to discover His grace and truth, that in Him we will live and love forever and ever.

Very special promises and blessings were given to the chosen people. As a gentile who has faith in God, I believe, I know my destiny in God to be very similarly blessed when God fulfills the promises He has made. Jesus has walked with his disciples in flesh:

…beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Isaiah 9:1, 2

Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Acts 11:17-18

… Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Acts 15:7-9

God’s blessings come to us through the Jews.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. John 4:21-22

And having received the Messiah and the Holy Spirit of God, what thing that God commands us to do will He not also empower us to do? I challenge the reader to name one thing!

Tremendous peace and assurance has begun to flood into my soul by simply believing I can, I REALLY CAN love God with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind and all my strength. Just trusting Him in this, for this is an act of loving Him, is an exercise of faith which pleases Him.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

If it is impossible to please Him without faith, is it possible that faith will always please Him? I think so. I have faith, that is: I trust Him to be the teacher, and the scriptures to be His primary text.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2Timothy 3:16-17

James writes that faith is not our mere mental assent. We can't simply answers true when asked “Jesus, true or false?” and continue to live as we please. That is not faith. Faith has to have works to live. Just as muscles atrophy when not used, faith does weaken and even appear dead when not exercised.

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:28-29 (Chapter 6 is awesome)

Jesus calls believing on Him work, that is: faith in Him is a work. Faith exercised will keep faith alive, but what is the exercise of faith? One exercise of faith is its application to the scriptures. My faith was very weak toward God until I believed, trusted, had faith that the Bible was altogether true and reliable AND read and studied it. It shows me I can love God with my all, and I can be successful, that is: pleasing in His sight by loving Him and my neighbor!

The following scripture draws a perfect summary of the whole theme:

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5:6

Paul in his faith “driven” work of love (of God and the Galatians) is drawing the Galatians back from dead works, rote works of the law. To what does He draw them? To faith in the Gospel and the Savior God of the Gospel, and particularly the Spirit of Holiness who empowered their lives in the Gospel. The miracles the apostles and disciples did were possible by faith because they all were all baptized and received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The simplicity (2Co 1:12; 2Co 11:3) of Jesus is so marvelous, and His love so pure; His Spirit so perfect and so Holy, and so very Powerful. Faith in God moves mountains. The power and strength of flesh are entirely unable to move them. “But by my Spirit” saith the Lord.

Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2Corinthians 3:17-18

I, we have peace that passes understanding and with joy unspeakable and full of glory. There in none like our Savior. He is able to move every obstacle thrown in our path and make us to also move them in the Power of His Might that is: In the Holy Spirit. I pray that your faith be wed to the courage of God by faith of God that works through Love, through Love which never fails, that is: Love which never fails YOU (and me). We are loved by God. If we follow His DOABLE commands in His Faith He will pour out that blessing that we cannot contain.

And Jesus answering saith to them, `Have faith of God; Mark 11:22 Young’s Literal Translation

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. Mark 5:36

But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. Luke 8:50

and now there doth remain faith, hope, love--these three; and the greatest of these is love. 1Corinthians 13:13 YLT

Faith (believing trust) Hopes (expects the promise to be kept) and it works through Love (which never fails).

There is T shirt going around which says: P U S H ~ Pray Until Something Happens.
Faith is pushy in a good way. Faith pleases God, and faith hears God. Faith follows God and Faith obeys God.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1John 5:3

The love of God exists in the keeping of His commandments, His doable commandments, which are not a grief to His people. Obedience is the context of living in God, in living in His faith. Loving God with your all, and Loving your neighbor as yourself will release us from faith to faith and from glory to glory.


Hebrews 11
1 NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

We can walk each day as Abraham did.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Hebrews 11:8

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Galatians 3:2

The works of the law will not ever accomplish the will of God. But our faith and our prayer with our understanding and with the Spirit will accomplish it!

I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Isaiah 62:6-7

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:1-8 KJV

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me [Paul], do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together: Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good. Psalm 122:1-9

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2Corinthians 1:20

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:25-36

God will send Jesus back to us when all His ancient chosen people are restored to Him. Between now and that time my first goal is to do the will of God:


And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12.29-31

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

It has become very clear that those who advance themselves by denominational creeds do risk. and some deny that which is needed to do God's will: the Spiritual power and simplicity of the Messiah and Holy Spirit for faith which worketh, even worketh signs and wonders... by Love! Do we not need to return to a faith that gives back possible things, all possible things? In three gospels we see the rich man depart from faith because of his attachment to his possessions.

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke 12:15

And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mark 9.17-24

The Message reads: 23 Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen." 24 No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, "Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!" Mark 9

And that is where we are in our humanity. But if we are as many are also baptized in the Holy Spirit, why do we not do the works and greater works than Jesus did? I fear it is because we are still focused on the cares of this life.

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. Luke 8:14

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Luke 21:34

The cares of this life grieve and quench the Holy Spirit. I have learned how personal the Holy Spirit is: He is sensitive and very gentle. It is His power that Jesus had, and in His hometown where they rejected Him they almost entirely quenched the Spirit's power. Very few were heal and deliver. (Healing and deliverance from demons were the works most often done. Miracles were fewer.)

And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:57, 58

Unbelief means that had no faith in Him. Faith worketh by love, so it is likely they had no love for Him. That would grieve Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They were too busy with other things, cares of this present life. The Messiah they expected was the one they wanted for what? For Israel to be delivered from Rome, not from Satan.

As it was in their day it is in ours in America. Many Christians want God, not to prepare them for heaven, but want God to restore America to the governance she had from 1776 to 1860. "Good luck with that." "How's that workin' for you?" We are not going backwards, and we need to understand that God is moving the faithful forward to purity and maturity, to Holiness and Perfection, to become His Bride without spot or wrinkle. We cannot be primarily interested in returning to the "good old days" of the American dream. That dream never saved us and never will. We are so adverse to suffering in the flesh. But why? What does the scripture say about suffering?

Paul rejoice to suffer purposefully in love:

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Colossians 1:23-25

Paul gave us a promise, an axiom:

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 3:12

He warned us against those political and false brethern who wanted an easy prosperous life:

Those who want to make a good impression and a fine show in the flesh would try to compel you to receive circumcision, simply so that they may escape being persecuted for allegiance to the cross of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Galatians 6:12

He gave us another guarantee, another axiom:

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
2 Timothy 2:12

Peter teaches us that suffering as Christ suffered will bring us to a very full repentance.

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1, 2

Suffering will expose us. No one wants to suffer. But would we rather deny our Lord and Savior? I pray we would not, not ever. Peter knew what denial was, and I do to. It is hiding my light under a basket, it is remaining silent in the face of satanic lying. It is prefering the pleasures of the flesh, that very thing Moses rejected. I have done these things, and I am sick of them. They have brought me nothing but dis ease, an guilty conscience and a broken heart. May God heal me and prepare me for His purpose and pleasure, to be an even bolder and humbler voice in to His people. May He prepare you as well for the marriage supper of the lamb. May you do your part in the revival and the awakening and the preparation of the Bride.

Church of Baltimore: prepare to meet your God.