There are over 1,000 commands of Christ Jesus recorded in the New Testament. He only said and did what He saw His Father doing. Therefore, He acted in true love, destroying the works of the devil; everyone who came to Him wanting was set free from their captivity. He served His closest friends relentlessly. He demonstrated the love of God by all of His righteous deeds, healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing lepers, casting out demons, washing the disciples’ feet, and feeding thousands of strangers. His greatest act of love, one that will never be repeated or required, was His scourging and dying on the cross.

The greatest way to walk by faith, and not by sight, is to LOVE by faith, and not by sight. Most of us hear stories of a brave someone that decides to take a “leap of faith” or a “step of faith” by means of selling their possessions, moving across the globe, quitting their 9-5 job to serve the homeless in their community, or giving a sacrificial $700 check in the Sunday morning offering. All of these acts are grand acts of faith, and are to be applauded. Dare I say, there is another component of faith that is the most important of all: loving by faith. In 1 John 2:3-6, the apostle John says,

“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

The Apostle Paul, in the famous “love” chapter, tells us that if we walk through all the motions of Christianity but have not love, we have nothing to show. But,

Every step of love, that is taken by faith, is a treasure to God.

As Christians, we do not store up for ourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. We store up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Treasures of good deeds done in faith that are rooted and grounded in God’s love for us will never rot or rust. If we say we love Him, we will do what He says.

Like little squirrels storing up acorns for the winter, we store up His commands of true love in our hearts.

Father,

Show me, through Your written Word, how to believe, think on, speak on, act on your love and faith that is already mine through the works of Christ Jesus,

Amen!