[The Epistle of Philemon] Risks of Faith and LoveExemplo

The Risks of Faith and Love

Imagine, for a moment, what believers worldwide would have without pursuing faith in Jesus Christ and the outpouring of love that comes from it. We would have dead faith. We would not have growth, love, joy, knowledge, or experience of fullness. We would have no relationships and no life.

The risk to others would be the absence of prayer for them, of love for them, of sharing our faith with them. The deep, rich, full life found in our relationships would be absent.

What is the risk when there is no love expressed from faith? We could lose joy and encouragement. We risk losing the privilege of refreshing one another. The love of Jesus Christ would not be expressed, and the richness of our relationship would be gone. It is a huge risk!

On a corporate level, we would have no life, community, church, or joy. If you don't think that can happen, travel to Europe. Look at the enormous cathedrals that are now completely empty, dead, and darkened because faith and love were not expressed nor kept up by the saints.

It is still a massive risk for us to take a chance on faith and love. This is the question we should ask ourselves: Am I willing? Am I willing to trust God and take chances in my life in faith and love? If I do, what do I gain? I become captivated by joy, encouragement, peace, grace, and deep relationships, knowing fully the depths of the good things that are mine in Christ Jesus.

If I share faith and love, what do I lose? I lose bitterness, resentment, anger, hatred, and general irritability. Faith and love are the essence of relationships. We are called to take chances in them for our sake, the sake of others, and Jesus Christ.

Lord, we pray that we can experience the depth of all the good things we have in You. We want to share them and touch the lives of others. Please, let them be refreshed and encouraged, and their joy may abound because of our abundant love. May we be a people marked by faith and love for your glory.

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