“(13) So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV)
If this does not mean we aim for the love and forget about faith and hope, how do we consider the relationship between them? Yesterday we noted the close connection between love and faith. Today, consider the intertwined relationship between love and hope.
One of the psalmist’s wrote. . .
“ (10) His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, (11) but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” (Psalm 147:10-11 ESV)
It is because of God’s love we can have steadfast hope! From God’s love we have grace and mercy made available to us. Because He loves us, He has revealed what we can expect from Him. Therefore, our hope is in a consistently loving God! And just as we noted with faith, hope in turn feeds love.
Writing to the church at Colossae, Paul wrote. . .
“(3) We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, (4) since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, (5) because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,” (Colossians 1:3-5 ESV)
It is from the assurance of that hope laid up in the security of Heaven that our faith and love have every reason to grow and be strong! Love is so great because it provides the solid foundation on which our faith and hope securely rest. Therefore, why should we not both love God even more and one another as well as we share in the salvation provided through the Son?
Have a great day OF FAITH AND HOPE PROMPTED BY GOD’S LOVE!
Carl
