Is loving God a work?

[The Liturgist]

For we through the Spirit, by faith, are eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
(Galatians 5:5-6 LSB)

Is love a work?

I would say yes, and I would say a living faith is also a work. I agree with St. James on works, although I do accept the views of the early Protestants that a living faith produces good works as satisfying the criteria of St. James, and I think the confessional Lutheran understanding of faith approaches that of an Orthodox understanding of works.

That being said, I prefer the Orthodox and Patristic wording, since as I see it the confessional Lutheran approach was an attempt to reconcile a view of Luther that crteris paribus, was extreme and unhelpful (for example, his desire to remove the Epistle of St. James from the canon), but which was useful in reaction to the sale of indulgences and the legalism of the pre-Tridentine Scholastic Roman church (which was ironically observed by so many of the pious at the same time certain infamous popes such as Pope Alexander VI of the Borgias lived in a manner which seems devoid of any of the extreme mortification of the flesh and other behaviors of pious Catholics from the period (some of which are no longer in evidence post Vatican II, and some of which conversely I would agree with, but many concepts such as the Scholastic idea of the Treasury of Merit and indulgences to reduce time spent in Purgatory appear to contradict the current Catechism of the Catholic Church and are absent from Orthodox-Patristic theology.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

There were a lot of things not yet in existence when Paul wrote. But one thing is clear--he did not believe that our works, as Christian as they may be, earned our way into heaven. All of mankind are stained with a Sin Nature, and the only thing that can remove the curse of death is the grace of Christ.

And so, if we choose to live under Christ's Grace we are choosing to live doing his good works, while at the same time recognizing that we can never do enough good to cover up the stains of our Sin Nature. We must accept that on the Cross he saw all sin, and forgave it on behalf of those who choose to live in him, thereby obtaining with him his resurrection from the dead.

Saint Paul believed that the Law, the one given through Moses, was holy, just, and good, he thought it an absurdity to attack it or to set it aside as if it were a worthless thing.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

I'm sorry, but this is a goofy question.

What is the subject of that clause? "Faith" is the subject, not a person. That does not say "Christians working through love."

Look at the first sentence: "We" are waiting, not working. We are waiting while faith is working.

Your faith does not work?

 

[ViaCrucis]

For we through the Spirit, by faith, are eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
(Galatians 5:5-6 LSB)

Is love a work?

Yes. Love is a work that is brought forth out of the newness of life we receive in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Or as St. John puts it, "We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19). St. John reminds us also that God is, Himself, love; and so love is a reflection of God; in Christ who is the true Image of God, as He restores to us God's image and we are being healed and restored to be the image-bearers of God by the power of the Spirit, so is love restored, love is brought forth, love comes from the life of the Spirit who is conforming us to the image of Christ. So St. Paul calls love the greatest virtue, "These three remain, faith, hope, and love, the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13) and also calls love the fruit of the Spirit, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace..." (Galatians 5:22)

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Jo555]

Jesus and those disciples who told the truth were crucified by people who were deceived, like the ones who oppose God's Detailed curses He states in His Word - especially anathema are those who carry a false gospel everywhere they go.

And who were the people who led the crusade to crucify him? Those stuck in the old (didn't properly understand the reason for it), had hardened hearts, and couldn't stand that the crowds were drawn to Him.

The curse comes from the law, trying to keep it on our own. The law is fulfilled in Christ. As Jesus said, "Don't think you are right with God because you obey the law for if you look upon a woman with lust, adultery. If you hate, murdered.

None of us can keep the law on our own where it counts, in the heart. We enter in by grace through faith. With the love of God poured out in our hearts the law is fulfilled.

Do you not agree that if you love God with all and love neighbor as self you do not sin against them? Love is the force that drives you. It's not work, it is as natural as breathing.

And we are still being perfected in love, but the blood of Jesus has us covered.

 

[Jo555]

And who were the people who led the crusade to crucify him? Those stuck in the old (didn't properly understand the reason for it), had hardened hearts, and couldn't stand that the crowds were drawn to Him.

The curse comes from the law, trying to keep it on our own. The law is fulfilled in Christ. As Jesus said, "Don't think you are right with God because you obey the law for if you look upon a woman with lust, adultery. If you hate, murdered.

None of us can keep the law on our own where it counts, in the heart. We enter in by grace through faith. With the love of God poured out in our hearts the law is fulfilled.

Do you not agree that if you love God with all and love neighbor as self you do not sin against them? Love is the force that drives you. It's not work, it is as natural as breathing.

And we are still being perfected in love, but the blood of Jesus has us covered.

To put continuous emphasis on obey, obey, obey is like having a backseat driver constantly yelling, "There is a red light. Look, a cop! There is another cop!"

It's like relax man. I'm not doing anything wrong to fear the cop / law. That's for people driving wreckless without any consideration for other drivers and the harm to themselves and others that can come of it

I'm not, so relax man and enjoy the ride.

 

[Jo555]

Another false teaching from the false gospels,.
Train up a child in the way he should go. i.e. as Jesus Directs, and they will always tell the truth, as is appropriate for all the followers of Jesus.

You missed the point. There were others trying to prevent the children from coming to Jesus.

Children have no shame and no filters as to what is socially acceptable and appropriate.

Jesus was basically saying if you do not approach me like this, you will not enter the kingdom of God.

When we allow society's protocols and shame to direct our steps, we hold Jesus at bay and hide in shame from Him, the one that binds our wounds and heals us by his love.

 

[Jo555]

It's unfortunate that some approach the scriptures as a set of rules and regulations rather than the greatest love story ever told.

 

[Jo555]

It's unfortunate that some approach the scriptures and a set of rules and regulations rather than the greatest love story ever told.

It's about a King, He overflows with so much love He wanted many children to pour his love out on them. So He creates humanity with the intent of a prearranged marriage to his Son so they can be like them, but before they can really experience how wide and immense is his love, they betrayed his love and turned their backs on him, and find themselves in bondage. Nonetheless, He sees their pitiful state, kicking in their own blood with no one loving them, so He becomes their Savior, paying the ultimate price to set them free from their bondage and bring them into what He predestined them to be, like Him through his son sharing the inheritance of children and basking in their love .

Yes, the scriptures have directions and such that help us, but it loses its awesome, beautiful essence if we can't see it through the eyes of love.

 

[Jo555]

I may be preaching to the choir, but for those that may need it, once you've drank from his love, it spoils you for anything less. You will never be satisfied with anything less.

If you don't have that, ask Him for it. I am standing in prayer with you and Jesus is among us.

 

[RDKirk]

Your faith does not work?

Your faith is from the Lord, not of yourself, so it's the Lord who is working.

 

[Hoping2]

And what does obedience entail? Loving God with all and neighbor as self. In these two commandments are all fulfilled.

Agreed.

You cannot love God on your own. It is gifted through Christ.
We love Him because He first loved us

Don't those two sentences conflict with each other ?
If our love for God is a gift from Christ, why would God's prior love for us matter ?
And what about all those who loved God before Christ came ? Moses, Elijah,
Didn't they really love God ?

 

[Jo555]

Agreed.

Don't those two sentences conflict with each other ?
If our love for God is a gift from Christ, why would God's prior love for us matter ?
And what about all those who loved God before Christ came ? Moses, Elijah,
Didn't they really love God ?

I don't understand the question or conflict, but I think i have an idea of what you are saying.

Faith and the love of God are a growing revelation in our lives that transforms us from glory to glory as we keep our eyes on Him. I have faith that He saved me and loves me, but at times my faith is lacking in other areas beyond salvation.

We cannot attain that revelation of ourselves, and looking at the law does not change us, just shows us what we are apart from Christ. That plays an important role too, but cannot move us forward. We do that by looking into the perfect law that sets us free-Christ and He makes is his willing love slaves.

 

[Jo555]

I don't understand the question or conflict, but I think i have an idea of what you are saying.

Faith and the love of God are a growing revelation in our lives that transforms us from glory to glory as we keep our eyes on Him. I have faith that He saved me and loves me, but at times my faith is lacking in other areas beyond salvation.

We cannot attain that revelation of ourselves, and looking at the law does not change us, just shows us what we are apart from Christ. That plays an important role too, but cannot move us forward. We do that by looking into the perfect law that sets us free-Christ and He makes is his willing love slaves.

Agreed.

Don't those two sentences conflict with each other ?
If our love for God is a gift from Christ, why would God's prior love for us matter ?
And what about all those who loved God before Christ came ? Moses, Elijah,
Didn't they really love God ?

I never said they didn't. Where is the conflict as I don't see it? What i am saying is that we cannot attain the promises of God by legalism, but by grace through faith that drives us by the fruits of the Spirit, most important being love, and that produces good works.

 

[Jo555]

The law without love is just a harsh taskmaster, demanding obedience, but not lifting a finger to help us.

But let us not think the taskmaster is at fault. No. He's good and righteous, the problem is with us and our problem to overcome on our own.

Now in Christ we can as we rely on Him, denying ourselves and following Him, but He has given us the power to do that, his Spirit/Heart of love.

It is pride to think we can do it apart from Him and we know God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

If we are walking in defeat, we need to examine if we are trying to attain something in our own strength through the law.

I have to start dinner, but if you want to clarify some more for me, please do so because I am just not seeing the conflict you see.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

Your faith is from the Lord, not of yourself, so it's the Lord who is working.

I see, so then, love is a work that you say God performs.

 

[RDKirk]

I see, so then, love is a work that you say God performs.

For we through the Spirit, by faith, are eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

The scripture says that faith is working.

 

[Clare73]

For we through the Spirit, by faith, are eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
(Galatians 5:5-6 LSB)

Is love a work?

Loving God is a work of the Holy Spirit in one's heart.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

Loving God is a work of the Holy Spirit in one's heart.

Does your post mean that you do not love God it is God who loves God, specifically, God the Holy Spirit loves God. Is that the meaning of your statement?

 

[Clare73]

Does your post mean that you do not love God it is God who loves God, specifically, God the Holy Spirit loves God. Is that the meaning of your statement?

The meaning of the statement is that it is by the power of the Holy Spirit working within one that one loves God, not by one's own power.