Love Came First
Faith Expressing Itself Through Love, God With Us!
The longer I live, the more the Gospel simplifies.
Not because it loses depth—
but because I let go of everything that was never essential.
I’m increasingly convinced that the only thing that truly matters is this:
Faith expressing itself through love.
Not fear.
Not performance.
Not religious effort.
Just faith—alive and moving through love.
Faith Was Never Meant to Stand Alone
Biblically, faith is not mere belief or mental agreement.
It is pistis—relational trust.
Faith does not strain to love.
Faith moves through love.
Why?
Because love is not something God does.
Love is who God is.
When faith is alive, love is not an obligation.
It is participation in God’s own life.
That is union.
A Gift Given Before We Respond
Scripture tells us that God has given each person a measure of faith.
Faith is not something we manufacture to reach God.
It is something God has already placed within us so we can know Him, trust Him, and allow His life to be expressed through us.
Faith is our capacity to receive.
Love is the life received being shared.
Union always comes first.
This Is the Shape of Christmas
At Christmas, God does not wait for humanity to improve.
God gives Himself.
The Word becomes flesh.
Agape puts on skin.
Love arrives before understanding,
before repentance,
before response.
Christmas announces:
You are loved before you know it.
You are included before you respond.
You belong before you believe.
Simple Gospel
The Gospel really is this simple:
Faith expressing itself through love.
Not striving.
Not proving.
Not earning.
Just receiving the Love that arrived at Christmas—
and letting that Love live through us.
Reflection
Where have I made the Gospel more complicated than it needs to be?
What would change if I trusted that God’s love has already included me?
How might love flow more freely if I rested in union rather than effort?
A Christmas Prayer
Abba Father, Thank You for the Love that came looking for us. Teach us to trust what You have already given. Awaken our faith through Your kindness. And let Your life—Your agape love—be expressed through us this Christmas and beyond. Amen.