Freedom Calls

As a child of the one true God, saved by the gift of Grace and Faith in Jesus Christ, we are reminded of the three fundamental virtues that should guide our lives:

faith, hope, and love.

In 1 Corinthians 13:13, the Apostle Paul writes,

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (NKJV).

This verse serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of cultivating these virtues in our daily lives.

In his sermon, “The Three Things That Abide,” Charles Spurgeon notes,

“These three things, faith, hope, and love, are the substance of the Christian’s life. They are the three main pillars which support the temple of the believer’s soul.”

Spurgeon emphasizes that these virtues are not merely abstract concepts but are deeply intertwined with our relationship with God.

Faith, as described in Hebrews 11:1, is

“the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (NKJV).

It is the foundation upon which our relationship with God is built. As AW Tozer writes,

“Faith is not a device for getting what we want from God, but a recognition of God’s sovereignty and our dependence upon Him.”

Our faith in God is what sustains us in times of uncertainty and doubt.

Hope, on the other hand, is the confident expectation of our future inheritance in Christ. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:24-25,

“For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance” (NKJV).

Cs Lewis notes, “Hope is one of the theological virtues, and it is precisely the virtue that is concerned with things that are not yet visible.”

Our hope in Christ is what motivates us to persevere in the face of adversity.

Lastly, love is the greatest of the three virtues, as it is the very essence of God’s nature. As 1 John 4:8 states,

“God is love” (NKJV).

Watchman Nee writes,

“Love is not a thing that we can do, but it is the thing that we are.”

Our love for God and for others is what sets us apart as Christians and is the hallmark of our faith.

In his sermon, “The Conclusion of the Matter,” DL Moody notes, “The whole Bible is summed up in this one verse:

‘Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind’ (Ecclesiastes 12:13, NIV).”

Moody emphasizes that our faith, hope, and love must be grounded in a deep reverence for God and a commitment to obeying His commandments.

As we navigate the complexities of life, let us remember that faith, hope, and love are the three essential virtues that should guide our steps.

May we cultivate these virtues in our lives, that we may be a reflection of God’s love and glory to a world in need.

Supporting Quotes and Scripture References:

• “The greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NKJV)
• “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV)
• “Hope is one of the theological virtues, and it is precisely the virtue that is concerned with things that are not yet visible” (Cs Lewis)
• “Love is not a thing that we can do, but it is the thing that we are” (Watchman Nee)
• “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, NIV)
• “These three things, faith, hope, and love, are the substance of the Christian’s life” (Charles Spurgeon)
• “Faith is not a device for getting what we want from God, but a recognition of God’s sovereignty and our dependence upon Him” (AW Tozer)

May these words inspire and guide you as you seek to deepen your faith, hope, and love in Jesus Christ.