“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” 1Corinthians 13:13(KJV).
Faith, hope and love are the tripod on which Christianity stand. They are the three essential components of the Christian life. Without faith it is impossible to please God for he that comes to God must believe that he is and that he is the rewarder of those that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6). The Christian life is called “the faith”. When one is born again, he is said to have embraced the faith. He has to contend for the faith and grow in faith to make meaningful progress in the relationship. There is the saving faith which is a gift from God at the new birth. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast” Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV). This gift of faith enables the sinner to believe in the gospel and receive salvation. Again there is the living faith which comes by hearing the word of God. This is the responsibility of the believer to grow and develop as he stays in the word. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17 (KJV). The believer is expected to walk by faith and not by sight. Every business we have to do with God has to do with faith. God is a spirit and so we need to deal with him by faith. It is expedient that the Christian develop his faith. “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, the just shall live by faith” Romans 1:17 (KJV).
The second essential component of the Christian walk is hope. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. The in- dwelling Christ births hope in the believer. “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27 (KJV). The hope of the believer is rooted in the promises and faithfulness of God. This hope is an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast (Hebrews 6:19). We have hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie promise before the world began (Titus 1:2). For the unbelievers there is no hope beyond this present life, but for the Christians our hope is steadfast and guaranteed by the Holy Spirit who has sealed us. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” 1Corinthians 15:19 (KJV). But now, is Christ raised from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.
The third component of the Christian life is love. God is love and we are partakers of his love nature. “He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love” 1John 4:8 (KJV). When we keep the commandments, God’s love is perfected in us. His love nature is imparted to the believer at new birth. “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost which is given unto us” Romans 5:5 (KJV). As we walk in love, we show indeed that we belong to God and that we have his divine nature. We ought to walk even as he walked. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another” John 13:35 (KJV). Love is the authentic evidence of true discipleship. We should strive to build our faith, keep our hope alive and fan to flame our love for God and the brethren.
Prayer: Dear Lord, strengthen my faith, hope and love life in Jesus name.
Rev. Vincent Diolu
