Faith, Love & Giving

Faith, Love & Giving: Strength for the Christian Journey By Kerri White

The Christian journey is challenging—filled with trials and hardships. We know that our trials and struggles are how God refines our faith, character, and dependency on Him.

While our ultimate source of strength and love comes from God, He often uses those around us—family, friends, and fellow believers—to provide love, support, and encouragement. These relationships are gifts from God and are tangible ways we can see, feel, and hear God’s love.  The encouragement, love, prayers, acts of kindness and good works are a reflection of God’s love and used to comfort and strengthen us during the hard times.

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.—1 Peter 4:8-9  

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.—John 15:12

Love within Family

We are all born into a family and the love of parents and relatives is one of the first gifts given to us.  A loving and supportive family can provide strength, encouragement and guidance throughout our lives.

Matthew 19:18-19– honor your father and mother, ‘and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.

Friendship as a source of support

True friendship is a powerful gift that God uses to lift us up. True friends are there for us through both the good times and the bad and stand with us in times of joy and times of suffering.  Godly friendships are a source of wise counsel and sharpening of our faith.

Proverbs 17:7– A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:9—He who covers a transgression seeks love,

Proverbs 27:17–As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 18:24–A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 12:26– The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Love is the Foundation

Love is at the center of every relationship and takes time, effort, sacrifice, patience, and good works.   We are called to live our lives loving others as God loves us. 

John 3:16—For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 15:12– This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Colossians 3:14– But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

John 15:13– Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Practicing Love in Relationships

Love is expressed both in words and actions.  It brings us together in harmony and unity as we walk together in faith.

Galatians 6:2– Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Psalm 133:1–Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

John 15:12-13–This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Colossians 3:14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Love One Another

The encouragement, prayers, and acts of kindness we receive from family,friends, and even strangers are reminders of God’s faithfulness.  At the same time, we are also called to be instruments of His love—giving, encouraging, bearing burdens, and building others up in the faith.  It is our responsibility to reflect Christ’s love to those around us.  To fulfill the command:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”—John 13:34-35 (NKJV)