Why is faith that works by love essential for Christians?

The necessity of faith that works by love is rooted in its transformative power. Galatians 5:6 explicitly states that faith is to be active and expressed through love. This love is not a passive feeling; rather, it manifests itself in action towards God and fellow believers. For example, in 1 John 3:14, it is said that we know we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. An authentic faith will always yield love and good deeds as evidence of a true relationship with God. Moreover, love fulfills the law as it is the underlying principle of God's commandments, thus, faith working by love aligns believers with God's heart and purpose.