But Yahweh was with Joseph extending his lovingkindness, giving him favor in the eyes of the ruler of the prison (Genesis 39:19-21)
The story of Joseph includes much wrong in the beginning, he was thrown into a pit by his own brothers to die but instead a band a slave traders just happened to be passing by so they sold him into slavery, where he ended up at Potiphar's house, Pharoah's captain of the guard. Joseph was a handsome man and Potiphar's wife desired and tried to get him to sleep with her but he would not wrong Potiphar nor sin against God. So in spite she falsely accused him of rape and he was thrown into prison. Just imagine this happening to you. Joseph clearly had faith but did that alone sustain him through these times?
... rather faith is energized through love (Galatians 5:6)
When Joseph was thrown into prison we read God extended his lovingkindness to Joseph. It was faith energized through love that sustained him through this tribulation. The word energized ἐνεργέω (
energeō) means to
effect, to come into activity, to be actively developed; to be active in operation. Its root word is ἐνεργής (
energés) meaning active, effective ("en" in and "ergon" word, deed, action).
Faith doesn't come from us, Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). It is substance and evidence, of hope, assurance, and persuasion of things not seen. The scriptures tell us that faith without love is nothing, and that faith without works are dead. Therefore, faith and love work together to mature us.
do you see, that his faith energized his works and from his works his faith matured (James 2:22)*
We see that active faith energizes us unto good works and faith is energized through love. We can view this in two ways; first genuine faith produces works of love (James 2:15-17; 1 John 2:9-11). Secondly, God pours out his love into our hearts (Romans 5:5). We love God because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). This implies he revealed himself, as he exists love, to us. This love has a profound effect on our faith sustaining and giving energy to us to endure which has the intended work to mature us (James 1:3-4).
so that their hearts are encouraged and held together in love so that all the riches of persuasion of insight to the extent of knowing God's mystery, that Christ (Colossians 2:2)
We see that love sustains (which means to strengthen or support mentally) so that we can know Jesus on a deeper level. This is supported in other passages, like love creates a bond that holds us together so we are brought into maturity (Colossians 3:14). We build on a foundation, rooted in faith and love, and through a deeper love of Christ we are filled or matured to the fullness of God (Ephesians 18-19).
and this I pray that your love abounds more and more in knowledge and all perception so that you are proven to be brought through so that existing pure and without blame... (Philippians 1:9-10)
There is something that brings us through
the trial so that our faith is proven, like in the parable of sowing we endure the thorns meant to choke us out. So the tribulations and trials come but there needs to be something helps us endure, which as James writes endurance has the intended purpose to mature us (James:3-4). What sustains us is faith energized through love.
and this very reason bring into faith... brotherly love, agape love for if you possess these qualities and increase in measure making so you are not ineffective nor unproductive to the extent of knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8)
God has given us all things for godliness and life through knowledge of Jesus... (2 Peter 1:3). We add to our faith love so we are effective in being like him in this world. He has given us honorable and effective promises so we escape the corruption of this world in sinful desires and become partakers of God's nature (2 Peter 1:4). We bring into our faith love so we become effective, which means to be successful in producing an intended result, that of life and godliness, of being like Jesus and thereby confirm our calling and election.
we know we have passed over from death to life because we love the brethren... (1 John 3:14)
The bond of love leads us into maturity, filled to the fullness of God, being conformed to the image of Christ. A sign we have matured is that we love the brethren. This is how we distinguish the children of God from the devil (1 John 3:9-10). "For this is the message we have heard from the beginning so that we love one another, not like Cain who was evil and murdered his brother... (1 John 3:11-12). This message to love goes way back to the beginning. When we love not just in word nor speech but in action and truth, our conscience is at rest in the presence of God (1 John 3:18-19).
... if we love one another, God abides in us and his love exists matured in us (1 John 3:12).
Love is a sign of maturity.* There is the child who has testimony of Spirit and blood, and there is the young person who is strong, as the word of God abides in him and he has overcome the evil one (1 John 2:12-14). Matured in love is a sign God abides in us as he exists love, and his love has been perfected or matured in us bearing fruit.
Now, whoever keeps his words, truly in that one the love of God is fulfilled (1 John 3:5-6).
We see how we are sustained in love to be obedient, it is a circular truth, "in this we know because we love the children of God; whenever we love God and obey his commands. For this is the love of God that we keep his commands and his commands are not burdensome, because everyone born of God conquers the world" (1 John 5:3). Jesus commands us to love one another and by this we are to be known as his disciples (John 13:34-35). This is obedience, loving one another.
no, in all these we conquer through the one loving us (Romans 8:37)
Knowing the deep Love of God and being convinced of it, sustains us, as it did Joseph when he was falsely accused and thrown in prison. As Paul, who experienced many tribulations writes, was sustained by God's love, "For I am convinced... (nothing)... can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, for we are winning a most glorious victory through him who loves us "(Romans 8:35-39).
