Better Together

Introduction — A Love That Moves You

A few months ago, a young man named Daniel was driving home from work late one evening when he saw smoke billowing from a house on the corner of his street. Most people would have slowed down, maybe called 911, and waited for someone else to handle it. But Daniel slammed the brakes, jumped out of his car, and ran toward the flames. Neighbors shouted, “Stay back! It could explode!” But he heard a faint cry inside. Without hesitation, he kicked the door open and pulled an elderly woman from the kitchen moments before the roof collapsed.

Later, reporters asked, “Weren’t you afraid?” He answered quietly, “Of course. But fear didn’t have the last word. Love did.”

That’s where our message begins today—with love that moves.

Because in the Christian life, faith is meant to move us.

Faith isn’t just believing in something; it’s responding to Someone.

Faith that doesn’t move your hands, your feet, your priorities—isn’t biblical faith.

> “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” — James 2:17

“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” — Galatians 5:6

“If anyone compels you to go one mile, go with him two.” — Matthew 5:41

Together these verses give a complete picture:

Faith is the root.

Love is the motive.

Works are the fruit.

When any one of these is missing, the whole plant withers.

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The Tension Between Knowing and Doing

We have all heard a great deal about faith and works and how they operate in the Christian experience. It’s not hard to convince people about the truth—the gospel is logical, the Bible is reasonable. Most of us believe that God exists, that Jesus saves, that heaven is real.

The challenge is not belief; it’s obedience.

It’s not knowing what’s right; it’s doing what’s right.

A famous psychologist once said, “An emotion not expressed in action operates as a poison in the mind with a deadly effect upon character.”

When we feel stirred—by a sermon, a song, or Scripture—and do nothing, that emotion curdles inside us.

It’s like food left unrefrigerated: what should have given us energy now makes us sick.

Each time we feel convicted but do nothing, our hearts grow a little harder.

Our conscience builds scar tissue.

Before long, truth becomes just another sound we’ve learned to ignore.

So yes, it’s better never to hear truth than to hear it and refuse to act.

Because conviction without obedience leads to spiritual paralysis.

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Why Faith Must Act

Someone says, “Well, I just don’t have much faith.”

But everyone has faith in something.

Some trust in their bank accounts, others in science, others in relationships.

But remember: the object of your faith determines the quality of your faith.

If you trust fragile things, your faith will always be fragile.

If you trust the unshakable God, your faith will grow strong.

That’s why Paul says it’s not the ritual that counts—not the outward label of circumcision or uncircumcision—but faith which works by love.

The Christian life was never meant to be a collection of creeds; it’s meant to be a chain reaction of love.

> Faith ? Love ? Action.

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Faith That Works by Fear

Let’s be honest—there are different kinds of faith.

There’s a faith that works by fear, and a faith that works by love.

You’re driving toward an intersection and see a red light. You stop. Why? Because you believe in the authority of that light—and you don’t want a ticket or a wreck. That’s faith motivated by fear.

Or think of tax season, when millions rush to file before midnight. Why? Faith in the IRS! Not affectionate faith—fear-based faith. Obedience to avoid penalties, not out of admiration.

Fear-based faith will make you comply—but never inspire generosity, joy, or the second mile.

That’s why so many religious people drag through Christianity like it’s a duty chart—praying because they have to, giving because it’s expected, coming to church because someone might ask where they were. That’s faith that works by fear.

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Faith That Works by Love

A mother once fought to keep her three boys clean and neat.

Every morning was a battle: “Comb your hair! Shine your shoes! Tuck in your shirt!”

Then one day, everything changed. Her oldest, around thirteen, came out combed, polished, smiling. The next day—same thing.

What happened?

A new family had moved in down the street—with a girl his age.

Love had entered the picture.

What rules couldn’t do, relationship accomplished.

That’s what Paul means by faith which works by love.

When love is the motive, obedience is no longer a burden.

When love is alive, duty becomes delight.

> “If someone compels you to go one mile, go with him two.” — Matthew 5:41