Faith, Hope, and Love
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 KJV)
True faith in God is believing what His word says and standing on the promises and covenants He has proclaimed unto us. If we truly believe God’s word then we will do what we believe, that is, we will be obedient to His word. The word “substance” here is the confidence of things God has promised. Therefore, the things hoped for is not a maybe, but a yes and an amen. Biblical hope is knowing what God loves us and what He has said will come to pass.
If we doubt, we are saying, I fear that it will not happen or come to pass. Fear steals our faith and replaces the biblical hope for the present-day hope, which is a wishful thinking, no confidence in the end results. Stand on God’s word and Who God says He is. He is faithful, His word is truth, He is not a man that He should lie, God is Sovereign, and we live in His Providence. Stand and believe God even if there seems to be no evidence. Remember perfect love casts out fear.
God is love and He loves us. This is an agape love, an unconditional love that says, while you were yet sinners Christ died for you. God made a way where there was no earthy way for us to redeem ourselves. If god loves us this much we should have faith in Him, hope in our eternal life, and love for Him. God has first cast out the fear of death through His perfect love to give us faith and an everlasting hope, as we are “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” (Titus 2:13 KJV).
“God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV)
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:8).
Our hope is in You, Lord. Our faith is in You, Lord. Help us to love like You, Lord.
In Christ,
Greg