The only proof of salvation (that can't be duplicated by the outer man) is that we love. We are saved BY love in order TO love. Too simple? This is the simplicity which is in Christ.
How will people know that our gatherings are of the people of God? By the love that warms the gathering. You will know them by their love! What is the fruit of the Spirit? Love.
Just any kind of love? No. Human love is selfish. But God's love is selfless.
Faith takes us to God...and the God sends us back into this world equipped with His love.
Two comments and I’ll break them up. You may not agree and that is okay. As you showed in your post the bond of perfection is love ...not theology. considering your post ...yes He goes before us. But often not mentioned is “the God of Israel will be your rereward.” The rear-guard. Isaiah 52:10-12 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. [11] Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing ; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord . [12] For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.
Psalm 85:11-13
[11] Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. [12] Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. [13] Righteousness shall go before him; and shall
set us in the way of
his steps.
He goes before and is also behind us. Not the devil behind us ...But God as the rear-guard. Every thing created new—the new creature— is set in His righteousness and the way of his steps.
The devil is behind the rear-guard, ‘get behind me Satan’ Jesus Christ said. The Old has passed away, Flesh(the outward) separated by Christ and the new man created in Him-made whole- is set in His righteousness and the way of his steps. Do you see Him between the devil—
as the rear-
guard,
the God of Israel— and the new creature set in His righteousness and the way of his steps.
Isaiah 62:11-12
[11] Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work
before him. [12] And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord : and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
“...and his work before him.” The Holy people, THE redeemed of the Lord...set in His righteousness and the way of his steps.
Major one. Hear the LOVE: Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the
joy that was
set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
“Righteousness shall go before him; and shall
set us in the way of
his steps.” For the joy —set before him—the redeemed in His righteousness in the way of his steps...He endured the cross.