Operational Principle #2 - Love Works in a Heart Filled with Love and Forgiveness

Let’s continue our study on the fundamentals of faith by looking at Operational Principle #2 - Faith Works in a Heart Filled with Love and Forgiveness!

In Mark, chapter eleven, Jesus included this aspect of faith in His master teaching on faith.

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Mark 11:22-25 KJV

Notice at the beginning of verse 25 is the word “and.” “And” is a conjunction that joins what was said before with what is said after. In other words, the idea presented before the word “and” is incomplete until you include what comes after it.

Forgiveness is so vitally important in the operation of faith because it is a component of love. And you can know this for certain - the God kind of faith, the faith of God, does not work without love!

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”

Galatians 5:6 KJV

As we saw when we looked at the foundational principles of faith, if you look up the Strong’s definitions of “worketh” and “by,” one way you can translate that passage is, “faith becomes efficient, effective and mighty through the channel of love!

And, contrary to some people’s opinions, you cannot find the term “tough love” anywhere in Scripture! Instead, you find descriptions like you see in 1 Corinthians 13……

“Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 AMPC

And also in Ephesians 4 . . . 

“Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God's own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin). Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:29-32 AMPC

If you’re like me however, you would like to know HOW walking in love makes your faith stronger and more effective. I mean, really?! What does the one have to do with the other?!

Well, as with everything else, the answer is in the Word. Let’s turn over to 1 Thessalonians, chapter 3 . . . 

“And may the Lord make you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another and for all people, just as we also do for you, So that He may strengthen and confirm and establish your hearts faultlessly pure and unblamable in holiness in the sight of our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) with all His saints (the holy and glorified people of God)! Amen, (so be it)!”

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 AMPC

So, what happens when our hears become faultlessly pure and unblameable because of love? 

“And, beloved, if our consciences (our hearts) do not accuse us [if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us], we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God,”

1 John 3:21 AMPC

Confidence, complete assurance and boldness before God!

THAT’S MIGHTY FAITH!

And THAT, my brother and sister, is HOW walking in love makes our faith efficient, effective and mighty! That’s the “mechanism of action!”

So, let’s get to work practicing and walking these things out! You’ve got this! You can do it!

Lynn and I pray that the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another and all men!

Jesus is Lord!