“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love.” (Gal. 5:6)
Lord Jesus, we know this verse, I write it into my prayers quite often, and some of us even have the “tattoo.” But we cannot over emphasize, ponder, and take to heart what you declare to be essential, indispensable, and “the whole enchilada.”
So what is “the faith” referred to in this verse, Jesus. You tell us in your Word it is “what” we believe (the faith) and that we actually believe it—the content of our Gospel and our trust in the Gospel. Increase both in our lives, Lord. Grant us both informed minds and enflamed hearts—solid theology and passionate doxology, profession and possession, truth and fire.
As we grow in our understanding of “the faith,” may we grow 10 times more so in our love for you and others. We love only because you first loved us and gave yourself for us on the cross. Hallelujah and thank you!
But if “faith expressing itself in love” isn’t our highest privilege and greatest priority, what are the alternatives and competition, Jesus? This list isn’t exhaustive, but here are 10 really bad alternatives with which I personally know do not work.
- Fear expressing itself in worry.
- Sadness expressing itself in self-medicating.
- Envy expressing itself in resentment.
- Hurt expressing itself in revenge.
- Shame expressing itself in hiding.
- Disgust expressing itself in judgmentalism.
- Insecurity expressing itself in drivenness.
- Anger expressing itself in contempt.
- Aging expressing itself in denial.
- Loneliness expressing itself in bad relational choices.
Jesus, continue to heal, free, and transform us. We love you; we would love you 10,000 times more so. Hallelujah and So Very Amen.
