Which came first, the chicken or the egg? A delightful question that has entertained mankind for ages – especially children! On a much deeper level, “Faith” and “Love” have been pondered as well. How many times have young lovers said, “If you love me, prove it.” How many times have unbelievers said to a Believer, “Prove your faith.” The following paragraph may be confusing but hang with me – there is an extremely important point being made.
I pose this question; can you prove “Faith” or “Love” apart from one another? If you have faith without love, what do you have? If you have love without faith, what do you have? “Faith” is a “mental” thing. Faith means we intentionally believe in something that we cannot see and believe that whatever we have faith in will come to pass. We claim to have faith by intellect alone; without any action on our part. “Love” is an “emotional” thing. Love is something that we claim but we cannot prove simply by telling someone we love them. Isn’t love itself really based on faith? Trust (faith) in the one who tells you they love you is a significant part of believing their love for you is true. Can one word help “prove” the other? Which came first, ‘faith’ or ‘love’? J“Prove” means to establish the truth by giving evidence of or to demonstrate by action. If faith and love are mental and emotional feelings, how can they be proven?
Oh, no – back up! Where is all this leading! Dear ones, the above discussion is a favorite ploy of atheists to drag you into one of their favorite discussions. That is: “You cannot prove that you love someone so don’t expect any proof of God.” I submit to you that this topic is not worthy of a Believer’s energy. Scripture (Proverbs 24:6) says don’t argue with fools because eventually they will drag you down to their level. I have met people while doing street ministries who know God’s Word inside out, upside down, and every which way from Sunday – but their knowledge of the Word exists only as a stumbling block to others who are seeking God. These people have no faith and they have no love. Why do I call these people ‘fools’? Psalm 53:1 proclaims the foolishness of atheism!
It has been my goal to this point to have you think of ‘faith’ and ‘love’ differently that you have before. It is extremely important to understand: Faith and Love go together and apart are nothing. By the world’s definition, neither faith nor love can be proven. In worldly terms, the sum of the two is zero. In God’s eyes, the sum of the two is infinite – without limit! People have tried to prove their “faith” through the ages by “doing stuff”. Ceremonial washing of the hands and other outward acts have been used to prove ‘faith’. The Pharisees were experts at outward ‘faith’ but as Jesus stated their hearts were far from it. People through the ages have tried to prove their “love” by giving lavish gifts, conquering kingdoms, etc. only to turn from that person when their heart strings are tugged on by another!
The book of James was written by James the Less, Jesus’ earthly brother. James was one of the twelve apostles and one of the three pillars of the church (Galatians 2:9). James wrote this epistle in order to enforce the practical duties of the Believer. James teaches that faith is a commitment of “mental” (mind) and “emotional” (heart) to Christ. If you have one but not the other, sum = zero. A major issue Jesus had with the religious leaders of His time was their misplaced ‘faith’ (outward mind practice) and the lack of love (inward heart practice) for the Jewish people! If a skeptical non-Believer observes a Believer’s life, they see the proof of faith. A true Believer does not have to tell a non-believer about faith. A true Believer’s faith allows the Glory of Christ to shine through them. That “Glory” is exhibited in deeds and love. Love is the product of true faith. True faith and the desire to glorify Jesus allow a Believer to love people they would have never loved without the faith. The non-believer observes this for themselves without having to be convinced by elaborate logic discussions. I submit to you that when a Believer whose faith is in Christ prays for someone, the Believer will come to love this person: a product of their faith.
Summarily, a true Believer loves all people (they may not like them but that’s a different commentary). JA true Believer’s faith produces heart results. Faith brings salvation. Salvation brings a heart change. A heart change produces love for all of God’s creations! True faith transforms your life. If you claim to have faith and there is no change in your attitude towards others, you should take a step back and re-examine your faith. True love is a byproduct of faith. Faith + Love = physical proof that a Believer is a True Believer. Their life becomes the sum of God’s desire for all of us and a reflection of His Glory for the entire world to see. That, my friends, is why we were created.
Papa Joe Mac's Commentary:
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? A delightful question that has entertained mankind for ages – especially children! On a much deeper level, “Faith” and “Love” have been pondered as well. How many times have young lovers said, “If you love me, prove it.” How many times have unbelievers said to a Believer, “Prove your faith.” The following paragraph may be confusing but hang with me – there is an extremely important point being made.
I pose this question; can you prove “Faith” or “Love” apart from one another? If you have faith without love, what do you have? If you have love without faith, what do you have? “Faith” is a “mental” thing. Faith means we intentionally believe in something that we cannot see and believe that whatever we have faith in will come to pass. We claim to have faith by intellect alone; without any action on our part. “Love” is an “emotional” thing. Love is something that we claim but we cannot prove simply by telling someone we love them. Isn’t love itself really based on faith? Trust (faith) in the one who tells you they love you is a significant part of believing their love for you is true. Can one word help “prove” the other? Which came first, ‘faith’ or ‘love’? J “Prove” means to establish the truth by giving evidence of or to demonstrate by action. If faith and love are mental and emotional feelings, how can they be proven?
Oh, no – back up! Where is all this leading! Dear ones, the above discussion is a favorite ploy of atheists to drag you into one of their favorite discussions. That is: “You cannot prove that you love someone so don’t expect any proof of God.” I submit to you that this topic is not worthy of a Believer’s energy. Scripture (Proverbs 24:6) says don’t argue with fools because eventually they will drag you down to their level. I have met people while doing street ministries who know God’s Word inside out, upside down, and every which way from Sunday – but their knowledge of the Word exists only as a stumbling block to others who are seeking God. These people have no faith and they have no love. Why do I call these people ‘fools’? Psalm 53:1 proclaims the foolishness of atheism!
It has been my goal to this point to have you think of ‘faith’ and ‘love’ differently that you have before. It is extremely important to understand: Faith and Love go together and apart are nothing. By the world’s definition, neither faith nor love can be proven. In worldly terms, the sum of the two is zero. In God’s eyes, the sum of the two is infinite – without limit! People have tried to prove their “faith” through the ages by “doing stuff”. Ceremonial washing of the hands and other outward acts have been used to prove ‘faith’. The Pharisees were experts at outward ‘faith’ but as Jesus stated their hearts were far from it. People through the ages have tried to prove their “love” by giving lavish gifts, conquering kingdoms, etc. only to turn from that person when their heart strings are tugged on by another!
The book of James was written by James the Less, Jesus’ earthly brother. James was one of the twelve apostles and one of the three pillars of the church (Galatians 2:9). James wrote this epistle in order to enforce the practical duties of the Believer. James teaches that faith is a commitment of “mental” (mind) and “emotional” (heart) to Christ. If you have one but not the other, sum = zero. A major issue Jesus had with the religious leaders of His time was their misplaced ‘faith’ (outward mind practice) and the lack of love (inward heart practice) for the Jewish people! If a skeptical non-Believer observes a Believer’s life, they see the proof of faith. A true Believer does not have to tell a non-believer about faith. A true Believer’s faith allows the Glory of Christ to shine through them. That “Glory” is exhibited in deeds and love. Love is the product of true faith. True faith and the desire to glorify Jesus allow a Believer to love people they would have never loved without the faith. The non-believer observes this for themselves without having to be convinced by elaborate logic discussions. I submit to you that when a Believer whose faith is in Christ prays for someone, the Believer will come to love this person: a product of their faith.
Summarily, a true Believer loves all people (they may not like them but that’s a different commentary). J A true Believer’s faith produces heart results. Faith brings salvation. Salvation brings a heart change. A heart change produces love for all of God’s creations! True faith transforms your life. If you claim to have faith and there is no change in your attitude towards others, you should take a step back and re-examine your faith. True love is a byproduct of faith. Faith + Love = physical proof that a Believer is a True Believer. Their life becomes the sum of God’s desire for all of us and a reflection of His Glory for the entire world to see. That, my friends, is why we were created.