"There is time when a person’s body ceases to grow. This is not so in
spiritual things. If a person has become a Christian, a new spiritual
being (or, as our text says, a new "inner being" – Eph. 3:13-17), is
created in him by faith and the growth of this being never ceases until
death. In Christianity, there is no standing still. Whoever does not go
forward, goes backward. The life of a Christian is not marked by being,
but by growing. The goal toward which he strives is so high that he can
never say he has reached it and can rest from his efforts. Even Saint
Paul says, "Not that I have already obtained this or am already
perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has
made me His own" (Phi. 3:12). Of what does the strengthening "in your
inner being," the spiritual growth of the Christian consist? Paul shows
us in today’s text when he says, "That Christ may dwell in your heart
through faith" (Eph. 3:17). An ever growing and stronger faith, through
which Christ dwells in our hearts, is above all else, necessary for the
strengthening of the inner being. A person becomes a Christian through
faith. Once he vividly recognizes that he is a sinner, it is obvious to
him that he cannot stand before God with his own righteousness and
cannot atone for his sins himself. . . . Paul says he often prayed to
God that He would make the Ephesians stronger. By this he meant that
Christ might dwell in their hearts by faith and that they might be
"rooted and grounded in love" (Eph. 3:17). We see here that, through
love, Christianity becomes akin to a firmly rooted tree and a house on
a solid foundation. Should this really be attributed to love? According
to Holy Scripture, isn’t it faith alone that makes one just? Isn’t it
faith alone that gives life, light, comfort and power? Isn’t it, then,
faith alone that rightly roots and grounds the Christian? This is of
course true, but Scriptures says that faith without works is dead, a
mere empty picture of faith. True, living faith is active through love.
Therefore, as there is warmth and light in the presence of fire, there
are love and good works in the person whose heart has been warmed by
the sun of faith. As the tree is recognized by its fruit, faith is
recognized in love. The person who is weak or lacking in love cannot be
a strong firm Christian. He may call himself a Christian, but where is
the proof that he stands firm in the faith? Therefore, in the hour of
death, woe to the Christian who boasts of faith but did not show any
love. It will probably be difficult for him to show that he comforted
himself with Christ and id not doubt because, although faith alone
avails before God, we owe love to our neighbor and need love ourselves
so we are strong. The individual who wants to become inwardly strong
must always become more zealous in love. He must also extend the scope
of his love. . . A Christian must also become purer and more unselfish
in his love. He must not ask, "What’s in it for me?" He must not do
good for the sake of the thanks he hopes to receive, the reward he
expects, or the praise that might result. His left hand must not know
what his right hand is doing. He must learn to endure ingratitude and
not allow his love to grow cold on account of it. He must keep a heart
full of love toward those who offend and provoke him-even those who
have done flagrant wrong to him, hated him, and persecuted him. He must
always become more tender, holy, and godly in his love. He must have
patience with his neighbor’s weakness, sins and defects. He must also
not be ashamed of the greatest sinner, but have mercy on him. . . . He
must, finally, arrive at the point where he strives to let his entire
life be a life of service to his neighbor, being ready to give up his
possessions and even his life for his brothers. Oh, it is well for such
Christians! They have become "through faith, rooted and grounded in
love."

CFW Walther
God Grant It
pp. 745ff