Small Difference – Huge Distinction Part 3; Faith Working Through Love

What fruit should the Sabbath Rest produce? The answer is love. First and foremost it is a love for God. Faith in the blood of Jesus, faith in having peace with the Father because of the work of Christ, faith that we are indeed the righteousness of God in Christ, faith that we are joint heirs with Christ, faith that we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, faith that no weapon formed against us shall prosper, faith that the Father will withhold no good thing from us, faith that we are the people of God—should—produce in us a true love for God.

In other words, our faith... works through God’s love... to produce love in us. Jesus is the ultimate example of allowing faith to work through love. His faith in the Father allowed Him to exercise his love for humanity by accomplishing eternal redemption, salvation, and reconciliation. Christ’s faith worked through God’s love making him willing to endure the cross for our benefit.

This is precisely why religion, which is man trying to gain acceptability to God, is so futile. That scenario is void of faith and love. Rather, it embraces a dependence on what one can accomplish in his or her own strength. The Sabbath Rest, mentioned in part 2 eliminates all of the working toward acceptance. The Sabbath Rest simply accepts. It accepts the work of Christ on our behalf and it accepts the Father’s declaration about us. He declared it before the foundation of the world. Yes, that is absolutely correct. Look at this passage of scripture; Ephesians 1:3-5  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,  (4)  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love  (5)  He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,” It was determined that we would have a Sabbath Rest before creation. This shows beyond doubt that redemption was the first purpose in creation.

Do you hear that? God’s purpose in creation was redemption! Why are the people of God settling for the back seat in so many areas? God wants us to be healthy, prosperous, and at peace. The question is this; will we allow our faith to work through love? Will we allow our faith in God’s love to produce love in us? This is the TRUE transformation process. True transformation only comes from us having a genuine love for God. The only thing that will produce that is redemption from the blood of Jesus Christ.

Our faith needs to be directed to all the great benefits of Christ so that it produces love for God which will translate into supernatural obedience. That is really what the Sabbath rest is all about. God wants us to love and worship Him in Spirit and Truth. The only way that can be accomplished is with the Sabbath Rest, or otherwise resting in Jesus. That is why Jesus said, come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you REST!

Part 1 & Part 2