“As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor” (vs22).
Justification by faith produces love to my fellow man. If I’m loved FREELY, then God’s power will make me love. He never JUSTIFIES without sanctifying too, so that FORGIVENESS produces a loving and forgiving people.
Will you change your character? Will you be better as husband or wife? Then look to justification FROM all of your sins, and get the Spirit’s power to honor God, and you’ll love, serve, and honor God in your conduct - “And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God“ (Eph 3:19). He LIBERATES us, so that we can serve Him. He SAVES us, so that we can save others in newness and freeness of life. If you will be happy, then don’t do in your strength; get God’s strength to His promised children, and you’ll have power to treat people better than you do.
God’s gospel PRODUCES love - “And when they had nothing to pay, he freely forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, You have rightly judged” (Luke 7:42-43). Do you have it? It comes by faith, it works by faith, and it is maintained by faith; faith is what keeps our works from becoming bondage and self-righteousness. We DO because we believe what we’ve been given by God.
thegospelchurch.com
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