GRACE AND THINGS THAT REMAIN.

First Corinthians chapter Thirteen is called the great love chapter and contains some of the most poetic verse in all of scripture. The Apostle Paul will contrast the use of spiritual gifts and the condition of a person’s heart. He will go on to say that with out love our gifts are worthless. “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angles but have not love I have become a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” (I Cor. 13:1)In verse thirteen I find confidence and encouragement in the things that remain. “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (I Cor. 13:13)As I have turned the page of the calendar and find I am already past the half way mark of the first month these words are an anchor to my soul. Faith, hope and love will overcome trials and frustration.

Faith

Faith is not a shallow self-serving desire. It is a God given ability to respond to His call and promise. This is the kind of belief in which Abraham walked. His belief went beyond selfish ambition and good intention. It held as its object the promise of God. “ Faith is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things not seen…” (Heb.11: 1)

Hope

Hope moves beyond wishful thinking and opportunistic outlook. Hope is an extension of my faith. In I Thessalonians 1:3 Paul refers to the things that remain again. “ Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ….” He is writing to a group of people who looked with expectation for the coming of Christ. Biblical hope is an extension of faith.


Jack Hayford says, “ Hope is never inferior to faith, but is an extension of faith. Faith is the present possession of grace; hope is the confidence in grace’s accomplishment.”

Jesus offered hope when he said, “ You believe in God, believe also in me. In my fathers house are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you….” (Jn.14: 1)

God told the prophet Jeremiah to purchases a plot of land as the Babylonians were ready to take the city. Why would anyone buy land when the enemy would soon divide the spoils? It was an indication that grace would follow judgment and God would bring His people back. It was a purchase that would offer hope to an oppressed people.

Love

The bible says, “ … For God is love.” (I Jn.4:8) Love is an intrinsic property of God. The sun cannot cease to be hot and water cannot cease to be wet. Like wise The God of heaven and earth can never cease to love because love describes the essence of his nature. God is Holy, God is Just and God is love.

If hope is an extension of faith then love is the ultimate expression. God loves and expressed that love in Christ on Calvary. Paul exhorts the church to not only desire spiritual gifts but also to follow after love. “Love never fails….”

As I look to this year I am confident and encouraged in the things that remain and these are a reflection grace