--Love can also be defined or expounded as the good works done in obedience to the will and commandments of God thru faith.
I find it very odd how some would insist that works of righteousness or of any sort done with faith cannot save nor maintain salvation while they themselves posts scriptures that says: To believe in the Son is the WORK THAT GOD REQUIRES for men to do.
And to love one another is certainly just the same a good work.
If to believe in the one that God has sent is a work, does it mean that those who believe will go to hell accdg to those who teach that FAITH ALONE SAVES (VOID OF WORKS)?
John 6:28-29 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “the work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
And this is his command: TO BELIEVE in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER as he commanded us. Those who OBEY HIS COMMANDS live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.(1 john 3:23-24)
Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is “BY” (GOD’s) GRACE you have been saved, “THROUGH” (OUR) FAITH—and THIS (referring to SALVATION) NOT FROM YOURSELVES, it is the GIFT of God— NOT BY WORKS, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created IN Christ Jesus to DO GOOD WORKS, which God prepared in advance FOR US TO DO.
Titus 3:5-8 he saved us, not because of righteous things WE HAD DONE, but BECAUSE OF HIS MERCY. He saved us “THROUGH” the WASHING OF (OUR) REBIRTH and (OUR)RENEWAL “BY” the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously THROUGH Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified “BY” HIS GRACE, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have TRUSTED in God may be careful to DEVOTE themselves to DOING WHAT IS GOOD. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
--IT IS THEREFORE NOT “BY” OUR OWN WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS “ALONE” BUT “BY” GOD’S GRACE & MERCY “THRU” (OUR) FAITH THAT WORKETH IN LOVE(gal 5:6) BECAUSE WITHOUT LOVE AT WORK “IN” AND “THRU” US, FAITH IS DEAD OR NOTHING(james 2:14-26, 1cor 13:2) AND HAS NO POWER TO SAVE.
--The prepositions & adverbs BY & THROUGH explains clearly the issue regarding our salvation. GOD is the SOURCE or means and WE are the CHANNELS or instruments.
--WE CANNOT SAVE OURSELVES THROUGH OUR OWN WORKS BUT WE ARE MADE INSTRUMENTS AS FELLOW WORKERS OF GOD(1 cor 3:9) FOR THE SALVATION OF OTHER PEOPLE BY PREACHING TO THEM THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION(mat 28:19-20,eph 1:13) SO THAT FROM HEARING THEY MAY HAVE FAITH AND BY CONFESSING WITH THEIR MOUTHS THAT “JESUS IS LORD” AND BELIEVING IN THEIR HEARTS THAT “GOD” RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, THEY WILL BE SAVED, IN THE SAME WAY THAT WE GOT SAVED.
1 Timothy 4:16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, YOU WILL SAVE BOTH YOURSELF AND YOUR HEARERS..
Romans 10:8-17 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and IF I HAVE A FAITH that can move mountains, BUT HAVE NOT LOVE, I AM NOTHING..
-These only prove that faith without works is dead and that we are justified by works(thru faith) and NOT BY FAITH ALONE.
THE GOSPEL OF OUR SALVATION IS FOUNDED IN CHRIST WHO IS GOD’S LOVE, WISDOM, POWER & TRUTH.
1 John 3:18,Dear children, LET US NOT LOVE WITH WORDS OR TONGUE but with ACTIONS and in TRUTH.