Faith, Hope & Love

As believers "in Christ," our faith works, our love labors, and our hope remains firm to the end. This threefold cord is not easily broken. In 1 Thessalonians 1:3, we see that those who are in Christ continue without ceasing in their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, all in the sight of our God and Father. We are marked by these three attributes before the Father, who still looks to see His children walking out their lives like Jesus walked out His earthly walk.

Faith is what pleases God. We believe that He is fully God, just as He has revealed Himself to us in the Scriptures. He is complete, whole, and fully able to do all that He has done before—He can and will do it again, for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). As the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, He is pleased to be personally active in the details of a believer’s life.

Our faith, and its corresponding works (James 2:20), are made alive through a "laid down" love that reaches out to touch the lives of others (Galatians 5:6). This labor of love is selfless and sacrificial; it mirrors Christ’s own life on earth. By this we know love: because He laid down His life (psuche) for us, we also ought to lay down our lives (psuche) for the brethren (1 John 3:16). Our psuche is our soul, our mind, will & emotions. It is the part of us that considers us first.” A faith-filled, surrendered life loves without seeking self-benefit, remains willing to sacrifice time, energy, comfort, and options so that another might receive God’s grace and favor.

Remember, God is not unjust; He does not forget your work of faith and labor of love shown toward Him. As you "go the extra mile" for both saints and sinners, you are ministering to the "least of these" in His name (Hebrews 6:10). Amid this walk, we have a hope that acts as an anchor for the soul—sure and steadfast. This hope enters the Presence behind the veil where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf as our High Priest forever. Our hope endures because it is not anchored in earthly or temporary places but is secured in the presence of God through Christ, who is forever interceding for us.