“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT
For the next few weeks, we will be doing a deep dive into talking about love, and also understanding the significance of faith and hope.
Our walk with God would not be complete without having the FAITH that God can do anything.
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20
Our walk with God would not be complete without the hope we have in Christ Jesus of all His promises.
Having FAITH is important…..
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
But FAITH is not greater than love!
Having HOPE is an essential part of our spiritual journey.
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13
Here is a scripture that ties in both faith and hope…..
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
But HOPE is not greater than love!
Guzik comments, “Fortunately, we don’t need to choose between faith, hope, and love. Paul isn’t trying to make us choose, but he wants to emphasize the point to the Corinthian Christians: without love as the motive and goal, the gifts are meaningless distractions. If you lose love, you lose everything.”
At the beginning of chapter 13, Paul begins to tell the church of Corinth how if they have all the components of the Christian faith, but don’t have love – it would be useless.
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT
Gregory writes, “People of little religion are always noisy; he who has not the love of God and man filling his heart is like an empty wagon coming violently down a hill: it makes a great noise, because there is nothing in it.”
“If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 NLT
Fee comments, “Possession of the charisma is not the sign of the Spirit; Christian love is.”
“If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3 NLT
Sacrifice is important, but without love, IT IS NOTHING.
What is love and what is not?
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT
Here are a few more scriptures where Paul is addressing the church about faith, hope and love…
“As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 1:3 NLT
“But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.” I Thessalonians 5:8 NLT
“But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” Galatians 5:5-6 NLT
If you have exceeded in the areas of faith and hope, but you have lacked in LOVE…today is the day to make that right with God.
