How You Can Love by Faith – Part 4
Written by Dr. Bill Bright
This is Part 4 of a 4 part series – How You Can Love by Faith
Take the step
Agape love frequently expresses itself as a flow of compassion. Jesus said, “Rivers of living water shall flow from the inmost being of anyone who believes in me” (John 7:38, TLB). Compassion is one of these rivers. It is a gentle stream of tenderness and concern for another person’s need. Such love compelled Jesus to feed the hungry, comfort the sorrowing, heal the sick, teach the multitude and raise the dead.
Most of us at some time in our lives have experienced this flow of love toward someone. Perhaps you felt it while washing dishes, working on the job, driving down the freeway or sitting in a classroom. You couldn’t explain it, but your impulse was to do something special for that person.
I encourage you to take the first step; start loving by faith and follow that flow. It is God’s compassion streaming toward the one in need. The tug of love within you means that He is filling you with Godly compassion and that He has chosen you to minister to that individual.
Ask God to manifest His tender compassion through you in some way today. As you pray, ask Him to lay someone on your heart. When you sense God’s love flowing through you to that individual, find out his need and begin ministering to that need. By following the leading of God’s Spirit, you can help those whom the Lord has prepared for His transforming touch, and you will become part of His miraculous provision. When God leads you to help someone, He will enable you to do what He leads you to do (Philippians 4:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:24).
A Japanese magazine has a picture of a butterfly on one of its pages. Its color is a dull gray until warmed by one’s hand. The touch of a hand causes the special inks in the printing to react, and the dull gray is transformed into a flashing rainbow of color.
What other things can be thus changed by the warmth of your interest and agape love? Your family? Your church? Your city? This hurting world is hungry for the touch of someone who cares – who really cares! Through God’s agape kind of love, you can be that someone.
Make a list
But what about those who seem unlikable? People with whom you may have difficulty getting along? Individuals whose attitudes rub you the wrong way? I encourage you to make a list of people you do not like and begin to love them by faith. Perhaps you will place yourself on the list. Have you thought of applying the truths of 1 Corinthians 13 to yourself by faith? Ask God to help you see yourself as He sees you. You have no reason to dislike yourself when your Creator has already forgiven you and demonstrated His unconditional love by dying for you!
If Christ is in you, you are complete because Christ Himself is perfect love, perfect peace, perfect patience, perfect kindness. He is all goodness, and He is in you!
Whenever Satan tries to attack you by reminding you of sins that you have already confessed or by magnifying your weaknesses and shortcomings, claim in faith the forgiveness and righteousness of God, and thank Him that, on the authority of His Word, you do not have to be intimidated by Satan’s accusation. Thank God that you are His child and that your sins are forgiven. Thank God that Satan has no control over you except that which is allowed by God. Then cast this care on the Lord as we are commanded to do in 1 Peter 5:7.
Perhaps your boss, a fellow employee, your spouse, your children or your father or mother is on the list of those whom you will love by faith. Pray for each person. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ’s love for all of them. Then, seek to meet with them as you draw upon God’s limitless, inexhaustible, overwhelming love for them by faith. Expect God to work through you! Watch Him use your smile, your words, your patience to express His love for each individual.
Love by faith every one of your “enemies” – everyone who angers you, ignores you, bores you or frustrates you. People are waiting to be loved with God’s love.
A homemaker who, through a long, cold winter, had seen her family through mumps, measles, a broken nose, three new teeth for the baby and countless other difficulties, reached the point where these pressures and demands became too much for her. Finally, on her knees, she began to protest, “Oh Lord! I have so much to do!” But imagine her surprise when she heard herself say, “Oh Lord! I have so much to love!” You will never run out of opportunities to love by faith.
Remember, the agape kind of love is an act of the will, not just an emotion. You love by faith. By faith, you can claim God’s love step by step, person by person.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love….” Like fruit, love grows. Producing fruit requires a seed, then a flower, then pollination, then warm sun and refreshing rains and even some contrary winds. Similarly in daily life, your love will be warmed by joy, watered by tears and spread by the winds of circumstances. God uses all that you experience to work His will in your life. He is the one who makes your love grow. It is a continual, ever-increasing process. As Paul says, “May the Lord make your love to grow and overflow to each other and to everyone else…” (1 Thessalonians 3:12, TLB).
Let love motivate you
Now, how does loving by faith motivate you to engage in aggressive personal evangelism and con tribute to the fulfillment of the Great Commission?
When you begin to truly love God by faith with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbors as yourself, you will begin to see people as God sees them – as individuals of great worth, as those for whom Christ died. As a result, we will be motivated by the same love that constrained the apostle Paul who said, “Everywhere we go we talk about Christ to all who will listen” (Colossians 1:28, TLB).
Love, God’s kind of love, causes the Great Commission to become a personal responsibility and privilege. When non-Christians observe believers not only saying that they love one another, but also proving it by their actions, they, like their first-century counterparts, will marvel at “how they love one another” and will be drawn to receive and worship our Savior with us.
How exciting it is to have such a dynamic, joyful force available to us! And it all comes from our loving Savior, Jesus Christ, who explicitly promises in His Word all that you need. You need not guess, nor hope, nor wish. You can claim this love by faith, right now, on the basis of God’s command to love and His promise to answer whenever you pray for anything according to His will.
Why not make this prayer your own:
Lord, You would never have commanded me to love if You had not intended to enable me to do so. Therefore, right now, on the authority of Your command for me to love and on the authority of Your promise to answer if I ask anything according to Your will, I personally claim Your love – the 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love – for You, for all people and for myself. Amen.
NOTE: Remember, How You Can Love By Faith is a transferable concept. You can master it by reading it six times; then pass it on to others as our Lord commands us in Matthew 28:20, “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you” (TLB). The apostle Paul encouraged us to do the same: “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).
Self-study guide
- How would you explain the difference among eros, phileo and agape love?
- What is unconditional love? How do you show this kind of love to others?
- What does Romans 8:35–39 tell us about God’s love?
- Is the depth of God’s love real to you? If so, what affect does that realization have on your life? If not, what can you do to increase your realization of His love?
- How would you obey the command of John 13:34?
- How do 1 John 3:16–18 and 4:16–21 define real love?
- How could you express love in the following situations?
a. At home
b. At school
c. At work
d. At church
e. At a sporting event
- Why is it important to love yourself? How do you do this? What often keeps a person from loving himself? How does this affect his love for others?
- How and why is love powerful enough to overcome prejudice, hatred, rebellion, anger, fear, or jealousy?
- Why do you feel love? (See Romans 5:5)
- How can you claim God’s love? Why is faith important in love?
- What resources can you cling to when you find it difficult to love someone?
a. 1 Peter 5:7
b. Philippians 4:13
c. Colossians 3:2,13
d. 1 Thessalonians 3:12,13
- How can you relate the promise in 1 John 5:14,15 to claiming God’s power to love others by faith? How does it relate to your own involvement in personal evangelism?
- Make a list of people you do not like and begin to love them by faith. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ’s love for each of them. Pray for each person. Think of ways you can demonstrate Christ’s love to them this week.
Group discussion questions
- List and discuss the characteristics of God’s love found in 1 Corinthians 13. Name a synonym for or give a short description of each characteristic. Share what each quality means to you.
- Discuss ways in which the church as a body of Christian believers can express its love for God and one another.
- Have each member of your group share about a person in their lives whom they consider a “neighbor.” In what way can you show love to that person?
- Most of us have at least one weakness in our lives that we find difficult to love. Share this concern (if appropriate) with your group. How does God’s love apply to loving yourself in this area?
- Think of an occasion when you had to claim God’s power to love your enemy. Share what happened. If there is someone in your life now who seems unlovable, what will you do this week to change that situation?
- What are the basic elements of the command given to believers in Matthew 22:36–40? Share what each element means to you.
- What roles do God’s command, His promise, and your will play in loving by faith? (See 1 John 5:14,15.)
- Loving is a growth process. Share some areas in which God is challenging you to love by faith today.
Other resources by Dr. Bill Bright:
Resources for fasting and prayer:
- The Coming Revival: America’s Call to Fast, Pray, and “Seek God’s Face.” This inspiring yet honest book explains how the power of fasting and prayer by millions of God’s people can usher in a mighty spiritual revival and lift His judgment on America. The Coming Revival can equip Christians, their churches, and our nation for the greatest spiritual awakening since the first century.
- 7 Basic Steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer. This handy booklet gives practical steps to undertaking and completing a fast, suggests a plan for prayer, and offers an easy-to-follow daily nutritional schedule.
- Preparing for the Coming Revival: How to Lead a Successful Fasting and Prayer Gathering. In this easy-to-use handbook, the author presents step-by-step instructions on how to plan and conduct a fasting and prayer gathering in your church or community. The book also contains creative ideas for teaching group prayer and can be used for a small group or large gatherings.
- The Transforming Power of Fasting and Prayer. This follow-up book to The Coming Revival includes stirring accounts of Christians who have participated in the fasting and prayer movement that is erupting across the country.
Resources for group and individual study:
- Five Steps of Christian Growth. This five-lesson Bible study will help group members be sure that they are a Christian, learn what it means to grow as a Christian, experience the joy of God’s love and forgiveness, and discover how to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Leader’s and Study Guides are available.
- Five Steps to Sharing Your Faith. This Bible study is designed to help Christians develop a lifestyle of introducing others to Jesus Christ. With these step-by-step lessons, believers can learn how to share their faith with confidence through the power of the Holy Spirit. Leader’s and Study Guides are available.
- Five Steps to Knowing God’s Will. This five-week Bible study includes detailed information on applying the Sound Mind Principle to discover God’s will. Both new and more mature Christians will find clear instructions useful for every aspect of decision-making. Leader’s and Study Guides are available.
- Five Steps to Making Disciples. This effective Bible study can be used for one-on-one discipleship, leadership evangelism training in your church, or a neighborhood Bible study group. Participants will learn how to begin a Bible study to disciple new believers as well as more mature Christians. Leader’s and Study Guides are available.
- Ten Basic Steps Toward Christian Maturity. These time-tested Bible studies offer a simple way to understand the basics of the Christian faith and provide believers with a solid foundation for growth. The product of many years of extensive development, the studies have been used by thousands. Leader’s and Study Guides are available.
- Introduction: The Uniqueness of Jesus
- Step 1: The Christian Adventure
- Step 2: The Christian and the Abundant Life
- Step 3: The Christian and the Holy Spirit
- Step 4: The Christian and Prayer
- Step 5: The Christian and the Bible
- Step 6: The Christian and Obedience
- Step 7: The Christian and Witnessing
- Step 8: The Christian and Giving
- Step 9: Exploring the Old Testament
- Step 10: Exploring the New Testament
- A Handbook for Christian Maturity. This book combines the Ten Basic Steps Study Guides in one handy volume. The lessons can be used for daily devotions or with groups of all sizes.
- Ten Basic Steps Leader’s Guide. This book contains teacher’s helps for the entire Ten Basic Steps Bible Study series. The lessons include opening and closing prayers, objectives, discussion starters, and suggested answers to the questions.
Resources for Christian growth:
- Transferable Concepts. This series of time-tested messages teaches the principles of abundant Christian life and ministry. These “back-to-the-basics” resources help Christians grow toward greater spiritual maturity and fulfillment and live victorious Christian lives. These messages, available in book format and on video or audio cassette, include:
- How You Can Be Sure You Are a Christian
- How You Can Experience God’s Love and Forgiveness
- How You Can Be Filled With the Spirit
- How You Can Walk in the Spirit
- How You Can Be a Fruitful Witness
- How You Can Introduce Others to Christ
- How You Can Help Fulfill the Great Commission
- How You Can Love By Faith
- How You Can Pray With Confidence
- How You Can Experience the Adventure of Giving
- Life Without Equal. This inspiring book shows how Christians can experience pardon, purpose, peace, and power for living the Christian life. The book also explains how to release Christ’s resurrection power to help change the world.
- Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life? This booklet shows how you can discover the reality of the Spirit-filled life and live in moment-by-moment dependence on God.
- A Man Without Equal. This book explores the unique birth, life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and shows how He continues to change the way we live and think today. Available in book and video formats.
The Holy Spirit:
- Key to Supernatural Living. This booklet helps you enter into the Spirit-filled life and explains how you can experience power and victory.
- Promises: A Daily Guide to Supernatural Living. These 365 devotionals will help you remain focused on God’s great love and faithfulness by reading and meditating on His promises each day. You will find your faith growing as you get to know our God and Savior better.
Resources for evangelism:
- Witnessing Without Fear. This best-selling, Gold Medallion book offers simple hands-on, step-by-step coaching on how to share your faith with confidence. The chapters give specific answers to questions people most often encounter in witnessing and provide a proven method for sharing your faith.
- Reaching Your World Through Witnessing Without Fear. This six-session video provides the resources needed to sensitively share the gospel effectively. Each session begins with a captivating dramatic vignette to help viewers apply the training. Available in individual study and group packages.
- Have You Heard of the Four Spiritual Laws? This booklet is one of the most effective evangelistic tools ever developed. It presents a clear explanation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which helps you open a conversation easily and share your faith with confidence.
- Would You Like to Know God Personally? Based on the Four Spiritual Laws, this booklet uses a friendly, conversational format to present four principles for establishing a personal relationship with God.
- Jesus and the Intellectual. Drawing from the works of notable scholars who affirm their faith in Jesus Christ, this booklet shows that Christianity is based on irrefutable historic facts. Good for sharing with unbelievers and new Christians.
- A Great Adventure. Written as from one friend to another, this booklet explains how to know God personally and experience peace, joy, meaning and fulfillment in life.
Resources by Vonette Bright:
- The Joy of Hospitality: Fun Ideas for Evangelistic Entertaining. Co-written with Barbara Ball, this practical book tells how to share your faith through hosting barbecues, coffees, holiday parties, and other events in your home.
- The Joy of Hospitality Cookbook. Filled with uplifting Scriptures and quotations, this cookbook contains hundreds of delicious recipes, hospitality tips, sample menus, and family traditions that are sure to make your entertaining a memorable and eternal success. Co-written with Barbara Ball.
- Beginning Your Journey of Joy. This adaptation of the Four Spiritual Laws speaks in the language of today’s women and offers a slightly feminine approach to sharing God’s love with your neighbors, friends, and family members.
Used with permission. © 1971, 1981, 1991, 1995, 1998 Campus Crusade for Christ Inc.
Tags: Bible study, Dr. Bill Bright, faith, Men, personal growth, sex and love, spirituality, Women
Connecting Through Technology
I have been blessed by this message, because I have been praying and fasting for the past 3 months for my boyfriend whose esteem was badly bruised years ago, and kept him in bondage and hurt our relationship. Along the way have come criticism about my love for him, that is, as I have come to realize the love talked of here. My 28 year brother has cerebral palsy and is completely disillusioned in life, especially by his limping legs. Thank you for your support and encouragement, and for this tool. Do keep me informed of other newsletters,that can be of help to him and I, and my family. Kindly advise me how to approach my brother’s problem, and do pray for us. God bless you abundantly.
Revelation I got from God about my life after returning from Sedona,Az.
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I found myself on a mountain at the end of my rope. Before me appeared a much larger rope that led as far as the eye could see. I had been climbing the rope that I was on for so long and it seemed to lead no where. Sometimes the climb was easy,sometimes it was hard,but it never seemed to get me anywhere. After much struggle with the rope I was on,one day I took a leap of “Faith” and grabbed onto the much larger rope. I started climbing and a change came over me. The higher I got, the stronger I got.At the same time,I became more frightened for fear of falling. I stopped a few times to catch my breath but felt compelled to keep climbing. Then I noticed the more I climbed,the less afraid I became. When I looked up, I could see the top of the mountain,I was in the clouds. I had almost reached the top. My heart was pounding my energy was high and I notice there had been a change in me that had taken place. I reach the top and stood up. What I saw, was the most incredible view I had ever seen. My mind was clear and taking in all the beauty around me. My heart was so soft,I wanted to cry. My soul had been changed and I felt like a new person. I would never look at my life the same. I reflected on the rope that I had spent my whole life on and wondered why I thought that the rope I was on would lead me to happiness. After trying to absorb this overwhelming quest, I all the sudden felt a great desire to climb back down the rope and tell others what I had experienced. As I climbed down,I saw other people on the rope. Some were up high and some had just started the climb. But many people were right in the middle not moving. Not going up nor going back down. When I got to the beginning of the rope, I started telling everyone that would listen to me about the rope that led to the top. Most people wouldn’t listen to what I had to say. They were so content with climbing their own rope, which I knew would lead them no where for I had been climbing the same type of rope for so many years. Some people saw the rope I was on but were to afraid to make the leap of “Faith”. They were afraid of falling. I noticed that while telling people about the rope,the place seemed dark and cold. It was until I saw the light on the mountain top that I could distinguish the difference. The individual ropes that we climb represents us living our own life trying to achieve fame,fortune and success on our own. Living life to satisfy ourselves. The leap to the other rope is the leap of “Faith” when we surrender our lives to Jesus. Give your life and Receive eternal life. The rope of life represents the hand of God.Climb it diligently and always know….God will never let you fall. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Jesus has his hand out. Grab hold of him! The climb represents the struggles that we endure. God will give you the Holy Spirit to comfort you and encourage you on your climb+++ When you reach the top of the mountain,the scales fall off your eyes. You have achieved eternal life You acknowledge that you have been Born Again and you got to go tell someone!!! The people that stop on the rope and become comfortable, represent the Luke warm Christian that God will spew out of his mouth. One is either in the dark or in the light. There is nothing in between. If you are by the door in the dark….your still in the dark. The Lord wants us to have a great passion for him and be on fire for him. When you are in the dark,your eyes adjust. When most everyone around you is in darkness,you don’t know your in the dark. It is only when you step into the light that you realize what a dark place you were in. I pray that this will encourage you and others to seek the lord. Love thy Lord God with all your Heart,Soul,Mind and Strength. Please allow me to share with you HOW to love our Lord God with all your heart,soul,mind and strength.
Ray Baker
(Messenger)
followingjesus@comcast.net