1 Corinthians 8:3 KJV
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
In some recent reading on the doctrine of justification AW Pink said, "The first "fruit of the spirit," that is of the new nature in the regenerated soul, is "love" (Gal. 5:22). When faith has truly been wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, that faith is manifested in love—
Love toward God,
Love toward His commandments (John 14:23),
Love toward the brethren,
Love toward our fellow-creatures.
Therefore in testing the "faith" of the empty professor, the Apostle at once puts to the proof his love. In showing the pretense of his love, he proves the worthlessness of his faith." [1]
Often I will hear someone speak of a man who has done really bad things, or who is not faithful to the things of God and they will say, "But he does love God." We are too easy on one another.
Love is a true test of saving faith. When we examine whether a man has faith or not we ought to examine his loves. If he practices love for the world and apparently has no effective love for the Lord or the things of God, then it is not right to say he loves the Lord. Neither is it right to assign him the status of the saved.
[1] A.W. Pink, Doctrine of Justification, chapter 9
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
In some recent reading on the doctrine of justification AW Pink said, "The first "fruit of the spirit," that is of the new nature in the regenerated soul, is "love" (Gal. 5:22). When faith has truly been wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, that faith is manifested in love—
Love toward God,
Love toward His commandments (John 14:23),
Love toward the brethren,
Love toward our fellow-creatures.
Therefore in testing the "faith" of the empty professor, the Apostle at once puts to the proof his love. In showing the pretense of his love, he proves the worthlessness of his faith." [1]
Often I will hear someone speak of a man who has done really bad things, or who is not faithful to the things of God and they will say, "But he does love God." We are too easy on one another.
Love is a true test of saving faith. When we examine whether a man has faith or not we ought to examine his loves. If he practices love for the world and apparently has no effective love for the Lord or the things of God, then it is not right to say he loves the Lord. Neither is it right to assign him the status of the saved.
[1] A.W. Pink, Doctrine of Justification, chapter 9
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