0629. Faith, Love, and Hope

Faith, Love, and Hope

"Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish" (Joh_3:16).

"Whom having not seen, we love" (1Pe_1:8).

"Looking for that blessed hope" (Tit_2:13).

The three words, faith, hope and love have to do with Christ crucified, Christ coming again, and Christ ascended.

1. The word "faith" primarily links us to the Cross. We are saved by faith in the atoning work of Christ. No one can have salvation until he believes that Jesus Christ died, the Just for the unjust, upon the Cross. Faith accepts the Lord Jesus as a Saviour.

2. "Love" is the word that connects us with the risen Christ, the One, "Whom having not seen, we love." Praise God, for a risen, living Lover. Let us be strong in His grace, and keep ourselves in His love.

3. "Hope" is the word that anticipates the second coming of Christ. That which we have, we do not hope for.

The student of the Scriptures will find that the words faith, hope and love, hold a very prominent place in the believer’s attitude toward Christ. It is all-important, however, to remember that the three words convey to us clearly and concisely the threefold work of Christ.

It is passing- strange that so many believers who will speak of "faith, hope, and love" will not give equal emphasis to Christ, on the Cross, to Christ risen, and to Christ coming again, which are, in fact, the three objectives of the three words.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR