Faith Precedes Love

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Jul 15, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 27.

Faith Precedes Love

In the Christian life, faith precedes love. We cannot love in the truest sense him in whom we have no confidence. First in the Christian experience is belief in God and his word. That is followed by conviction of sin which comes by the study or hearing of that word, impressed upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. Faith follows true conviction of sin, and justification or forgiveness of sin follows faith. And to crown the Christian life, the blessings brought by faith, through the presence of the Spirit of God creates within us love. Love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Spirit of God, and the Spirit is given in answer to the prayer of faith. Matt 7:11; Heb. 11:6. Confidence is a necessary element in the foundation of true and wise love. We cannot love where we cannot confide; and confidence is truest faith.