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I. Define enthusiasm.

1. Origin of the word, and its uses at that time.

2. Etymology: marking changes in meaning.

3. Emphasize present use — Christian enthusiasm.

II. Enthusiasm subjectively considered. God in. Love dwelling in the Christian's heart.

1. Crystalized energy; energy taking form; efficiency.

2. Concentrated earnestness; sincerity and singleness of purpose.

3. Unwavering perseverance; continuity.

4. Indomitable courage; bravery.

III. Objectively considered. Love at work. Love gives faith its life, and causes it to glow with fervency, but it does more: it gives action. Faith worketh by love. This action depends upon two conditions, viz.:

1. A correct ideal. Love reveals Christ as the One altogether lovely.

(a)  In His character.

(b)  In His work.

2. A worthy cause. Love seeks the best time, place, subject. What can be more worthy to engage the Christian's powers than the gospel? When once at work, what will net a Christian endure? (Hebrews 11.) (Missionaries.) Faith may subdue kingdoms, may overcome worlds, but first of all it must be inspired by love. Faith worketh by love.

(American Homiletic Review.)Doctrine

1. That the grace of faith is a working grace if it be of a right kind.

2. That if faith be right and true it worketh by love. First. — That faith is a working grace: we have many Scriptures that prove this (2 Thessalonians 1:11). If faith be living it works. Show

I. — What the work is that faith doth. Answer — It is that which nothing else can do. If we ask faith, as Christ did His disciples, What do ye more than others? Faith might say, Yes, I do.

1. It doth more than sight or sense can do. Faith can make that which is far off to be near (Hebrews 11:1).

2. It will do that which reason cannot.[1.] In reference to doctrinal revelation, as —

(1.)  The doctrine of the Trinity.

(2.)  Of the creation.

(3.)  The doctrine of the resurrection.[2.] In reference to providential dispensations. God told Abraham that he should have a child, though he were an hundred, and Sarah fourscore and ten; and Abraham believed it, and it. was so.

3. It can do that which no other grace can do. Faith doth all things well. This will appear by three things —

(1) Other graces are but particular graces, but this is a universal grace.

(2) Other graces depend upon faith, but faith depends upon none. If faith be strong, then patience will be so, and meekness will be so, and charity will be so. Faith is the mouth of the soul: it maintains the whole body.

(3) Other graces are useful, but all the graces together without faith will not justify a man. Show

II. — How it comes to pass that faith doth all these things? Answer — Not by its own power. Whence then is it?

1. It is from the supplies of the Spirit of God; the Spirit of God works in every act of believing (Colossians 1:29). Faith of itself can do nothing.

2. As it hath Christ for the object of it (John 14:1; Philippians 4:13).

3. By applying the promises, which are the food of faith (Psalm 60:6). Secondly. — Faith works by love. Question — What are we to understand by love? Answer — There is a two-fold love.

(1) The love of God.

(2) The love of our neighbour. This may be understood of both these. Question — How doth faith work by love?

1. Passively. Faith is accepted by love.

(1) By works faith is discovered, and made manifest, as life by action, and fire by flame. Compared to — 2 Corinthians 12:9.

(2) It was improved and bettered. Abraham's faith had three great trials.[1.] Leaving his kindred and country to follow God, he knew not where.[2.] When God told him that he should have a son, which was greater than the former.[3.] The offering of this son, which was the greatest trial of all to him.

2. Actually.Show

I. — How faith in God doth produce love to God.

1. By acquainting the soul with His most excellent perfections.

2. By acquainting the soul with the great love of God to us.

3. In revealing this to us in the gospel, by inviting us; when the soul sees this great love of God, saith, How can I choose but love Him again? (Psalm 31:19, 23).

II. Where this love is, it works desire of obedience to the command of God. Where love is, obedience is.

(1)  Free and voluntary.

(2)  It is abounding (1 Corinthians 15. last verse).

(3)  It is constant, like the waters of a spring. How should I know whether mine be a true faith?Answer — If it doth work.

1. If it sets the Lord always before us.

2. It sets the things of the other world before us.

3. It purifies the heart.

4. It overcomes the world.

5. It overcomes the fiery darts of the devil.Thou hast faith, but it hath these characters: —

(1)  It is a blind faith.

(2)  It is a barren faith.

(3)  It is a profane faith.

(4)  It is a presumptuous faith; it works security; it rocks thee asleep in the devil's cradle.

(5)  There is a faith which men do swear by, but they cannot live by.

(6)  See whether it works by love (1 John 4:20).

(7)  Try the strength of your faith.[1.] If faith be weak, it will work but weakly. When faith is weak, it will look upon that to be a discouragement that is indeed an encouragement.[2.] If it be weak, it will not work alone, it must have company.[3.] If faith be weak, it will not work in the dark.

(Philip Henry.)

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KJV: For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

WEB: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.