Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Paul’s point in this passage is that men are right with God by faith alone and not by any added human rituals or performance, whether it is circumcision, food laws, ceremonial laws, civil laws, or even moral living (which can be carried out in a very legalistic manner and blunt the flow of grace and work of the Spirit). If you are a true Believer—a born again Christian—nothing is needed to improve your standing with God because you are positionally perfect in His Son. It’s an amazing reality.
Motivation is a big deal in the Christian life as it goes to matters of the heart. Solomon told us to, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Pr. 4:23). So even if you have great faith, if it is not worked out through love, it really doesn’t count. Paul wrote out an entire list of incredible attributes—speaking with the tongues of angels, prophetic powers, amazing understanding, jaw-dropping generosity, etc.—that may get the crowds roaring, but won’t amount to a hill of beans in God’s sight. Why? Because the performer of these things “has not love” (1 Cor. 13:2).
Spurgeon notes that, “Faith is like a metalworker who is about to prepare some work of fine art, such as smiths used to produce in the days of wrought iron. Faith, like a strong and vigorous smith, has love as its arm. Faith does not lift a finger without love. Faith believes and resolves, and then it proceeds to action, but the power with which it can work lies in love. Faith without love would be a cripple without arms. More than this, love is not only faith’s arm but its tools. Love is faith’s hammer, file, and anvil—its every implement.”
We all have a lot of “tools” at our disposal in our various roles in life. When used properly, none of them serves to increase our standing with our Heavenly Father. We can’t impress him, nor can we cause Him to love us more…or any less. That relationship is cemented in His love for us. However, we can use all of the same tools to glorify Him and serve our fellow man…but only if LOVE is your motivation. Love for your Father as well as Love for your neighbor.
What motivates you? Why do you do the things that you do? You can have great faith in the finished work of Christ and in His goodness, mercy and promises…but if that faith is not worked out through a loving heart, its effectiveness falls to the cutting room floor. Love is the epicenter of the Christian life—everything should revolve around its center of gravity. Love for God. Love for neighbor. Love for ourselv
