Week of August 2nd, 2026
Encouragement from God's Word
Real Christian love is an inevitable fruit of our faith. At the end of his introduction to the New Testament, Martin Luther wrote this:
This is what Christ meant when he finally gave no commandment except that of love (John 15:12), by which men were to recognize those who are His disciples and true believers. For where works and love do not appear, faith is not genuine, the Gospel has not taken hold, and Christ is not recognized aright.(What Luther Says, p. 823)
The best love that we can show is guided by our faith in Jesus Christ. He saved us from a selfless life and shows us what true, selfless love is. This is the love that we show to others – selfless and willing to serve.
John 15:10–13
“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
