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A few days ago in our morning devotions at the home for needy children where my wife and I serve, a lady named Mireya talked about the recent death of her mother. Her mother had been battling diabetes for many years. Not a pleasant struggle to have to endure. And then, to make matters worse, she was involved in a terrible auto accident that broke bones, inflicted bruises; internal and external, and left her in a coma for some days. She finally came out of the coma, which was a great relief for her family, but never really recovered, and ended up dying a couple weeks ago.
Mireya talked of her mother’s walk with God and the tremendous impact her faith had on her family, friends, and even the hospital staff who cried at her passing.
At about the same time of Mireya’s mother’s accident, another tragic auto collision occurred. This time to a lady named Leticia who had faithfully served at the mission in previous years with her husband Edgar. She was hit by a big truck driven by a drunk man. In the car with her were her two daughters, son, and sister in law. They all suffered a variety of bone fractures, contusions and bruises. The worst off was the sister in law who had both of her legs broken.
My wife, Anita, and I, went to visit Leticia recently, and she recounted for us the injuries and physical pain they all went through. Almost as bad as the physical pain, was, and is, is the psychological ordeal they are going through. The drunk man who crashed into Leticia was questioned by police and released. The police never filed a report and there is no evidence that they were ever on the scene. Leticia’s son took a picture of the drunk man and his license plate, which allowed them to find out where he lived. Evidently this man is a man of some means, as it seems he paid the police off and has hired a number of lawyers to defend him in case any one tries to make him pay. Edgar went to find the man in order to talk to him about the situation. He was no where to be found, and so Edgar talked to a few neighbors, telling them what happened and why he wanted to speak with the guy. He gave them his cell phone number. That evening he received a call from a relative of the drunk driver who cursed Edgar out.
What is the import of these two stories? I always say that God loves us and wants us to be happy. These are not very happy stories. The members of these families are strong, faithful Christians involved in ministry. It would be natural to ask God the question “Why”? In fact, Mireya confessed to asking that question. God answered her question. It’s not important to know what the answer was. It is important to know that our God who loves us and wants us to happy, always answers that question. Sometimes he gives the answer in a still small voice that brings us great satisfaction. Sometimes he answers that question through circumstances that follow, or with wise council from trusted friends or family members. Sometimes he answers with the response that Jesus gave John the Baptist or to Peter, which was, “What I do now you cannot understand, but in time you will.”
The New Testament writers James and Peter wrote about going through times of suffering, and both of them said that we should rejoice and be filled with joy because God uses the hard times of pain and confusion to bring about spiritual growth and greater intimacy with the Father.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2,3
For a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1Peter1:6,7
The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk wrote about difficult times ahead for the chosen people of God. Times of distress and want; hunger and pain. This prophet also declared “though the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vine, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen or cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakuk 3:17,18).”
So whether we suffer a car crash, emotional or physical crash, financial or familial crash, we can be sure that while we go through the pain, God is with us to strengthen us and encourage us, and when we come out the other end, we can rejoice and consider it pure joy that our faith is real and God is glorified.
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What part of the Bible comes to mind when you think of Faith, Hope and Love? Many people
think of 1Corinthians 13, the so called love chapter. I was surprised to learn the other day that this trio of virtues also occurs in nine other places in the New Testament. What other three aspects of the Christian life are grouped together so often in the New Testament? None that I can think of. They must be important to God and for us that they are found so frequently. Each one is incredibly important alone, but together they speak volumes to the life of Jesus followers. I think of the word “synergy”. A concept that tells us that the whole is more than the sum of the parts. I believe that this is true with Faith, Hope and Love.
Considering this “whole” of faith, hope and love, I have some thoughts. I think God loves us and 
wants us to be happy. Because of this he has opened the eyes of our hearts (Ephesians one) and this causes us to begin to understand the depths of his love (Ephesians four) and Faith comes alive in our being (Ephesians two – no, this is not a study of Ephesians). With this Faith we begin to love God and our fellow man. This love idea is basically a new concept for us that comes from the Greek word agape, which means to give of ourselves to those in need, without merit; those who have done nothing to deserve our love, and whom we don’t expect to pay us back. This is the kind of love God shows humanity a million times a day, and is especially apparent in the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Because of the Faith that this love fosters within us, we begin to demonstrate this kind of love toward others. Experiencing this love causes us realize that God is not only good and generous to us in this life, but that there is an afterlife which will make us far happier than we can imagine trodding this earthly soil. That is our hope.
My purpose in this post is not to give a theology of faith, hope and love, but to give you the scriptures that mention faith, hope and love, allowing you to ponder the significance of these virtues as a whole, and let God grow the truth of these attributes in your hearts and minds.
Ten New Testament Passages With Faith, Hope and Love
1Th 1:2,3 We thank God for you and always mention you in our prayers. Each time we pray, we tell God our Father about your faith and loving work and about your firm hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 5:8 But we belong to the day. So we must stay sober and let our faith and love be like a suit of armor. Our firm hope that we will be saved is our helmet.
Rom 5:2-5 Christ has also introduced us to God’s undeserved kindness on which we place our faith. So we are happy, as we look forward to sharing in the glory of God. But that’s not all! We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure. And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.
1Co 13:13 For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love.
Gal 5:5,6 But the Spirit gives us hope that God will accept us because of our faith in Christ. If you are a follower of Christ Jesus, it makes no difference whether you are circumcised or not. All that matters is your faith that makes you love others.
Col 1:4,5 We have heard of your faith in Christ and of your love for all of God’s people, because what you hope for is kept safe for you in heaven. You first heard about this hope when you believed the true message, which is the good news.
Heb 6:10-12 God is always fair. He will remember how you helped his people in the past and how you are still helping them. You belong to God, and he won’t forget the love you have shown his people. We wish that each of you would always be eager to show how strong and lasting your hope really is. Then you would never be lazy. You would be following the example of those who had faith and were patient until God kept his promise to them.
Heb 10:22-24 So let’s come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let’s keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water. We must hold tightly to the hope that we say is ours. After all, we can trust the one who made the agreement with us. We should keep on encouraging each other to love and to do helpful things.
1Pe 1:21,22 And when he did come, it was to lead you to have faith in God, who raised him from death and honored him in a glorious way. That’s why you have put your faith and hope in God. You obeyed the truth, and your souls were made pure. Now you sincerely love each other. But you must keep on loving with all your heart.
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To Enjoy God 