Living Faith: Love, Holiness, and Future Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as an Active Force of Love

Faith is not merely a belief but an active force that manifests through love. This love is the evidence of our faith and is essential for our salvation. It is not about earning God's favor but about living out the reality of His grace in our lives. When faith is genuine, it naturally produces love, which is the ultimate goal of our instruction. This love stems from a pure heart and sincere faith, demonstrating the profound connection between faith and love. As we live in faith through future grace, we validate our salvation by the evidence of love in our actions. [01:28]

Galatians 5:6 (ESV): "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love."

Reflection: Consider a recent situation where you acted out of love. How did your faith influence your actions, and how can you continue to let your faith actively produce love in your daily life?

Day 2: Radical Love for Enemies

Jesus' command to love our enemies is radical and counter to human nature. This love is possible only through the Holy Spirit and a deep belief in future grace. By focusing on the reward in heaven, we can overcome our natural inclinations and love those who oppose us. This command challenges us to rise above our instincts and embrace a higher standard of love, one that prays for those who persecute us and seeks their well-being. Such love is not achievable through human effort alone but requires divine intervention and a steadfast faith in God's promises. [02:55]

Luke 6:27-28 (ESV): "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you."

Reflection: Identify someone you consider an enemy or someone who has wronged you. How can you begin to show them love this week, perhaps through prayer or a kind gesture?

Day 3: Rejoicing in Adversity Through Future Grace

The key to rejoicing in adversity and loving our enemies lies in our faith in future grace. This faith assures us of a great reward in heaven, enabling us to endure hardship and extend love to others. Unlike a legalistic mindset that relies on willpower, a faith-based approach trusts in God's promises and provision. When faced with persecution or adversity, the ability to rejoice and love our enemies is rooted in the assurance of a great reward in heaven. This perspective liberates us from the need for immediate payback and empowers us to live out our faith with joy and love. [08:12]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge or adversity you are facing. How can you shift your focus to the future grace and reward that God promises, allowing you to rejoice even in difficult times?

Day 4: Trusting God's Goodness in Unanswered Prayers

When we pray, we may not always receive what we ask for, but we can trust that God will provide something better. This understanding encourages us to approach God with childlike faith, confident in His goodness and wisdom. Unanswered prayers can be challenging, but they are an opportunity to deepen our trust in God's perfect plan. By believing that God knows what is best for us, we can find peace in His decisions and remain hopeful for the future. This perspective allows us to maintain a strong relationship with God, even when our desires are not immediately fulfilled. [12:25]

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV): "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."

Reflection: Reflect on a prayer that seems unanswered. How can you trust in God's goodness and wisdom, believing that He is providing something better for you?

Day 5: Liberation from the Need for Payback

By setting our hearts on future grace, we are liberated from the need for immediate payback. This allows us to pour our lives into those who cannot repay us, trusting that God will reward us in His time. The assurance of God's provision frees us to love others selflessly, even at personal cost. This liberation from the need for payback is a testament to our faith in God's promises and His ultimate justice. As we focus on the future grace that awaits us, we can live generously and sacrificially, knowing that our reward is secure in heaven. [19:02]

Luke 14:13-14 (ESV): "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who cannot repay you for your kindness. How can you serve or bless them this week, trusting in God's future reward rather than seeking immediate payback?

Sermon Summary

In today's session, we explored the profound dynamics of how love and holiness are produced by living in faith through future grace. This is not about earning salvation but about validating it through the evidence of love. The essence of our faith is not just in belief but in action, as seen in the biblical assertion that faith works through love. This love, which stems from a pure heart and sincere faith, is the ultimate goal of our instruction.

We delved into the challenging command of loving our enemies, as instructed by Jesus in Matthew 5. This command is counterintuitive to human nature, which naturally inclines towards animosity against adversaries. Yet, Jesus calls us to a higher standard, urging us to pray for those who persecute us. This radical love is not possible through human effort alone but requires the Holy Spirit's intervention and a deep belief in future grace.

The key to achieving this seemingly impossible task lies in our faith in future grace. When faced with persecution or adversity, the ability to rejoice and love our enemies is rooted in the assurance of a great reward in heaven. This faith-based approach contrasts with a legalistic mindset, which attempts to fulfill commands through sheer willpower. Instead, we are called to rely on God's promises, trusting that He will provide what we need, even if it means enduring hardship.

Furthermore, we examined the concept of unanswered prayers and how they relate to God's goodness. When we pray, we may not always receive what we ask for, but we can trust that God will provide something better, even if it is not immediately apparent. This understanding encourages us to approach God with childlike faith, confident that He knows what is best for us.

Ultimately, the call to love others, even at personal cost, is grounded in the assurance of God's provision. By setting our hearts on the future grace that awaits us, we are liberated from the need for immediate payback and can pour our lives into those who cannot repay us. This is the essence of living a life of faith, trusting in God's promises and allowing His love to flow through us to others.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith and Love Connection: Faith is not just a belief but an active force that produces love. This love is the evidence of our faith and is essential for our salvation. It is not about earning God's favor but about living out the reality of His grace in our lives. [01:28]
2. Loving Enemies: Jesus' command to love our enemies is radical and counter to human nature. This love is possible only through the Holy Spirit and a deep belief in future grace. By focusing on the reward in heaven, we can overcome our natural inclinations and love those who oppose us. [02:55]
3. Faith in Future Grace: The key to rejoicing in adversity and loving our enemies lies in our faith in future grace. This faith assures us of a great reward in heaven, enabling us to endure hardship and extend love to others. [08:12]
4. Unanswered Prayers: When we pray, we may not always receive what we ask for, but we can trust that God will provide something better. This understanding encourages us to approach God with childlike faith, confident in His goodness and wisdom. [12:25]
5. Liberation from Payback: By setting our hearts on future grace, we are liberated from the need for immediate payback. This allows us to pour our lives into those who cannot repay us, trusting that God will reward us in His time. [19:02]
** [19:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:29] - Foundations and Applications
[00:55] - Dynamics of Love and Holiness
[01:28] - Faith Working Through Love
[02:43] - Command to Love Enemies
[03:12] - Power to Love Enemies
[04:10] - Rejoicing in Persecution
[06:01] - Praying for Enemies
[07:53] - Faith in Future Grace
[09:10] - Legalism vs. Faith-Based Approach
[10:28] - Prayer and God's Goodness
[12:11] - Understanding Unanswered Prayers
[16:29] - Confidence in Future Grace
[18:02] - Love Without Payback
[21:30] - Assurance of God's Kingdom

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Matthew 5:43-48
1 Timothy 1:5
Matthew 7:7-12

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Observation Questions:

In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus commands us to love our enemies. What specific actions does He suggest to demonstrate this love? [02:43]
According to 1 Timothy 1:5, what are the three sources from which love should stem? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on faith and love? [01:54]
In Matthew 7:7-12, Jesus talks about asking, seeking, and knocking. How does this passage connect to the idea of trusting in God's goodness, even when prayers seem unanswered? [10:28]
The sermon mentions the concept of "future grace." How is this idea reflected in the promise of a great reward in heaven as mentioned in Matthew 5:12? [08:12]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the command to love our enemies challenge our natural human inclinations, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in enabling us to fulfill this command? [03:12]
The sermon contrasts a legalistic approach with a faith-based approach to following Jesus' commands. How does this distinction affect our understanding of obedience and grace? [09:10]
In what ways does the assurance of a "great reward in heaven" influence a believer's ability to endure persecution and love their enemies? [08:40]
How does the concept of "unanswered prayers" as discussed in the sermon encourage believers to trust in God's wisdom and timing? [12:25]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you found it difficult to love someone who opposed you. How might focusing on the promise of future grace change your perspective and actions in similar situations? [02:55]
Consider the difference between a legalistic and a faith-based approach to following Jesus. How can you shift your mindset to rely more on God's promises rather than your own efforts? [09:26]
Identify a situation in your life where you feel your prayers have gone unanswered. How can you apply the sermon’s teaching on trusting God to provide something better? [12:45]
Think of a person or group you find challenging to love. What practical steps can you take this week to pray for them and show them love, as Jesus commands? [03:12]
How can the assurance of a great reward in heaven motivate you to serve others selflessly, even when there is no immediate payback? [19:02]
Reflect on your current challenges or adversities. How can the promise of future grace help you find joy and strength in these situations? [08:12]
What specific actions can you take to cultivate a childlike faith in God's goodness, especially when facing uncertainty or disappointment? [12:25]

Sermon Clips

"In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything but faith working through love. So I just point that out that faith now and I think I carelessly said is the agent of love and somebody pointed out but agents are people well, instrument means you pick your word faith is working through love here it's it's producing love." [00:01:28]

"The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith so this love is coming from faith just like this love is coming from faith. Now let's broaden out we saw those texts but let's look at another one which may not look immediately relevant to this issue of how does faith and future grace help you love people, especially your enemies." [00:02:00]

"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. That's a big promise blessed are you when people insult you says breaking it down into particulars now insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me what should your response be rejoice be glad." [00:04:10]

"Rejoice be glad that is absolutely ridiculous absolutely crazy absolutely counter to all human fallen nature you are being lied about you are being persecuted therefore what be happy that's really crazy we don't feel the force of how unbelievably counter us Jesus is how can one be so contrary to what one is by nature here's the ground for your reward in heaven is great." [00:04:59]

"If the key to doing the harder thing is faith in future grace this is future grace and the key to rejoicing in it is believing it with all your heart if the key to doing the harder thing is faith and future grace then the key to doing the easier thing is faith in future grace that's my argument." [00:08:12]

"The difference between a legalist a legalistic way I think to pursue the Christian life and a faith-based way is that you you see the command love and a legalist tends to attack the command directly okay there it is I'm supposed to do that I will not do that I will try to do that and a faith-based person doesn't attack it directly." [00:09:10]

"When you pray trusting God's promises in the Bible like I work all things together for your good or my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory or I will pursue you with goodness and mercy every minute of your life if you go and you pray for what you believe you need a job a better marriage help on an exam you will always get what you asked for or something better." [00:12:25]

"Be careful that you don't elevate the promises of answered prayer to the point where you make yourself the infinitely wise governor of the universe you don't know what you need frankly you don't know what you need God knows what you need you you have desires and longings and little children ought to say that to their father I think it's right to pray about virtually everything in your life." [00:14:55]

"Set your heart on what is coming to you at the resurrection first Peter 1 13 hope fully at the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ and therefore be liberated from the need of payback now some people really stumble in understanding my quest for joy my quest for satisfaction thinking like last night that it means health wealth and prosperity now this is the opposite of that." [00:19:02]

"Don't look for payback now find those who cannot pay you back and pour your life into them by confidence that it's going to come back to you Jesus is going to show up someday he's going to look upon you and display more of himself to you because of those acts of love than if you had been a self-protecting person trying to maximize your treasures here don't lay up treasures here lay up treasures there." [00:19:30]

"Do not be afraid little flock for your father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom that's love this verse is just so full of little you're little you're you're sheep you have a father as well as a shepherd you've got a king shepherd father king and guess what this omnipotent ruler with a father heart and a shepherd care has made a choice and he's done it gladly with all his heart to give you his kingdom." [00:21:30]

"Sell your possessions and give to charity and I you see my little three dots there maybe therefore what's the what in Jesus mind what's the connection between verse 32 and 33 don't be afraid little flock yes you're little yes you're like sheep yes fears threaten you don't be afraid your shepherd your father your king has made the joyful decision to bring you to his kingdom and make you the beneficiary of everything in it forever." [00:22:40]

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Living Faith: Love, Holiness, and Future Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as an Active Force of Love

Day 2: Radical Love for Enemies

Day 3: Rejoicing in Adversity Through Future Grace

Day 4: Trusting God's Goodness in Unanswered Prayers

Day 5: Liberation from the Need for Payback

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Living Faith: Love, Holiness, and Future Grace

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