Faith of our fathers we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife
And preach Thee too as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life
Faith of Our Fathers 1849
By: Frederick William Faber (1814 – 1863)
Listen to this a cappella version of this hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we conclude our journey through this hymn ask yourself if you can make the commitment of the refrain. “Faith of our father, holy faith, we will be true to Thee ’til death.” That is quite a commitment! Let’s think about this.
Preach with Love
Our words should always be characterized by love, but especially when we are preaching. Preaching can take various forms as well, not only what is done from a pulpit with the word of God open. Through our words and our deeds we preach the faith of our fathers.
Both those words and deeds should be informed by love. Or directed as love knows how, as the writer put it in this final stanza. So ask yourself if your lips and your life reflect an understanding of love.
And preach Thee too as love knows how
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2 ESV
Love instructs and informs our preaching. We are not simply to live out our faith, we are also to use our words to make it plain, to teach it with patience. We are to be ready to reprimand, disapprove, and encourage in every season, and that will require us to use our words.
Love changes the way we preach. When we love friend and foe alike, we are compelled to share our faith with them using our words. But when we truly love, it changes the words we use and the way we use them. It is not only what we say but how we say it. Spirit help me.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider what love knows. Love knows a better way to do everything. When you begin to think of telling or showing someone about you faith always make certain it reveals an awareness of love. Pray this simple prayer, “Spirit, help me to preach with love.”
Words and Life
Our words must be spoken with love, but we must also bring our actions in line with it. Sometimes that requires that you bite your tongue and other times that your boldly proclaim the truth. Sometimes that means that you refrain from doing something and other times that you act.
This is not easy. To speak or not to speak. To act or not to act. If we allow love to guide us, the decisions become easier.
By kindly words and virtuous life
That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, Philippians 2:15 ESV
Our lives must be in line with our words, otherwise we will not remain blameless and innocent. Our living must not blemish our testimony or words, otherwise we will not shine as lights. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal if there are any inconsistencies in your words and deeds.
Words and life that match. One version said “saving words” which I like even better because few people are saved by unkind words. Saving words imply kindness and care, but our lives must reinforce what we say or our words will be meaningless at best, and harmful at worst.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about if your lips and your living line up. Do you have enough self-awareness to be comfortable with your conclusion? What do you think the Holy Spirit would say about that? Why don’t you ask Him? Then finish by praying “Lord, make my lips and my life congruent.”
Lord, thank You for helping be preach with love. Help me line up my lips and life so they both convey Your love to the world. I confess I need your help in I am going to have any chance at that. In Jesus name. Amen.
Lovely Thinking!
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Podcast 36.4 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
Faith of our fathers we will love
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 ESV
One of the best ways we can show that the faith of our fathers is real is to do all in love. To be able to stand firm, be strong and courageous, but repay evil with love is a true mark of faith. Is there a situation in your life right now where you can love like this? Ask God for help.
Both friend and foe in all our strife
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6:27-28 ESV
In these words Jesus is preparing His disciples, which includes us, for the times that taking a stand for our faith will bring ridicule, disdain, and even hatred. To love, do good, bless and pray for those who are creating our strife is no small task. Ask Jesus for help with this also.
And preach Thee too as love knows how
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2 ESV
Love instructs and informs our preaching. We are not simply to live out our faith, we are also to use our words to make it plain, to teach it with patience. We are to be ready to reprimand, disapprove, and encourage in every season, and that will require us to use our words.
By kindly words and virtuous life
That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, Philippians 2:15 ESV
Our lives must be in line with our words, otherwise we will not remain blameless and innocent. Our living must not blemish our testimony or words, otherwise we will not shine as lights. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal if there are any inconsistencies in your words and deeds.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.
Faith of our fathers we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife
And preach Thee too as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Lips and Lives in Line with Love appeared first on Resonant 7.
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