From Faith to Love
The Apostle Paul had quite a faith journey and perhaps some of us can relate. I know that I can. Of course, none of us went about persecuting Christians in the way that Paul did but we all know that life can be difficult and challenge our faith. It can lead us to have doubt, we will question what God is up to, and suffering will make us weary. Paul knew this just as much as we do. Therefore, when we read the letters that he wrote many years ago, all of these realities of life should influence our understanding of the things he wrote.
One of the many themes found in those biblical letters is an explanation of Christian doctrine and theology. Paul is writing to people and places in the early Christian world to teach them about Jesus and what it means to live as a disciple. Through Paul’s letters, they learned about Jesus and what it meant to follow him.
These same words that transformed the world many years ago still lead people to know Jesus and what it means to live as a Christian. Of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament, Paul is credited as the author of thirteen epistles. Although they were written to people and places a long time ago, they are still relevant to us today. Towards the end of his life and ministry Paul wrote his letter to the Romans. It is written at a point when he was mature in his faith and therefore it is considered to be his most influential statement of theology. Christian doctrine and beliefs are articulated throughout it. For this reason, it is just as important for us to read as it was for those that first received it.
Justification by faith is one of the many foundational Christian doctrines explained in this letter. In Romans Paul writes, “since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). It is through our faith in Jesus Christ, truly believing that he lived and died and rose from death, that we find salvation. Grace leads us to have this true faith, then we are justified through Christ and receive the gifts of forgiveness and salvation. John Wesley described justification as renewing our ability to love God and neighbor.
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Our neighbor may live on the other side of the world and even express their faith in a way that is different. It is a person created in the image of God, bringing a glimpse of God to the world, and therefore they’re someone we should love.
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I think that it is important for us to cherish this gift of justification and then consider what it leads us to do. How are we to respond to what Christ has offered us? I think here we ought to remember Wesley’s experience and understanding of justification: receiving and renewing an ability to love God and neighbor. If we truly have faith in Christ as our Savior, we will have a true love of God and for our neighbors. And I pray that we all know that when we refer to our neighbors in a Christian way it is not limited to our geographic neighbors.
As Christians our neighbor is not limited to the person that lives next door to us. Our neighbor could be a stranger. They could be someone living in another town, state, or even in another country. Our neighbor may live on the other side of the world and even express their faith in a way that is different. It is a person created in the image of God, bringing a glimpse of God to the world, and therefore they’re someone we should love.
Since we at Hayes Barton UMC are all good Christian folks, I imagine it is easy for us to have faith in Christ and from this receive our justification. Then I imagine it is easy for us to have love for God in this gift. But the true sign of faith that is deep and true is when we live with love like we really mean it. Not just love for God, that is easy! But a deep and true love for other people. When this happens, we know that our faith is true. This will bring a glimpse of heaven on earth and God will be glorified. May it be so this day and always. Amen.
With peace and love, Pastor Adam
