Galatians 5:6 ~

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. (KJV)

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. (NASB)

For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love. (Amplified)

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (NIV)

One day as I was teaching the word of God in a prison, I found myself unexpectedly leaving my notes and begin talking about “mean Christians”. Christians who become so legalistic they constantly use the Word of God to judge, reject or condemn others, instead of edifying, encouraging and empowering others.

At the end of the teaching, a woman came forward crying and admitted to being a “mean Christian”. As she wept and repented, the rest of the ladies present wept with her as they watched her change before their very eyes, by the power of God’s Holy Spirit, by the power of His love.

We talk much about faith. We talk much about speaking to that mountain and casting it into the sea. We talk much about laying hold of a Word from God and not letting go until it manifests in our lives. And I thank God that more and more we are also talking about love. Faith works by love.

I came across the scripture Galatians 5:6 in the New Living Translation recently.

For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus… what is important is faith expressing itself in love. (NLV)

When I read it, it rang so true. Our faith should be an expression of His love.

I spoke to a youth minister from another denomination one time. We discussed a topic that his denomination believes has passed away.

He was very tense at first. As I shared a story about an interaction I had with a woman from his denomination, I shared how she was expecting me to get on to her about not believing God in her situation. I am very thankful to say that is not at all what she got from me. By the grace of God and to the glory of God, what she got from me was the love of God in the midst of her very difficult and tragic situation.

The youth minister told me that he too would have expected to be corrected and judged in that situation. He said many times people who believe the things that we believe from God’s word, can be pushy and judgmental. That ought not be.

That day, we did not agree on everything we discussed, but I can honestly say he and I walked in love through our entire discussion.

The teachings on faith are so powerful and true. They can help to set the captives free. But not if  the message is shared in such a way that the captives run from us instead of to us. It should always be shared bathed in His love.

So let us walk in faith. Let us teach this faith. And let it all be said and done as an expression of His love.