I can think of two immediate reasons why the greatest of faith, hope and charity is charity.
1. Charity shall continue with us in heaven, while faith and hope shall cease.
2. Charity is the outward evidence of the inward existence of faith and hope.
Perhaps there are other reasons that charity is the greatest of these three, but these two I've named appear to be the most important.
1st. Charity most simply defined is "love," or, "love in action." Faith is the "substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hope is the "anchor of the soul." Faith gives us the ability to believe in things that we cannot see, hope gives us the ability to hold on to such belief, charity is putting our faith and hope into action.
In heaven, when we're no longer seeing through a glass darkly, but seeing God, heaven, the angels, our loved ones, and above all the Lord Jesus Christ face to face; we'll no longer need faith to believe in something unseen. Nor will we need hope, for what a man sees, why doth he yet hope for it?
However, charity, or love will continue through all eternity. Love, one of the greatest attributes of our God, a love He places in His people when they're born again, will be evident in its purest form in glory. To know of these three blessings, faith, hope and charity, that love is eternal, no wonder Paul said the greatest of these is charity.
2nd. Charity, or love in action, is the expression of the faith and hope we possess. James complained of those who had faith without works, stating it was a dead faith. To contrast that, a person who is exhibiting the love of God to others builds up his own faith and hope, and gives a godly testimony to bother faith and hope. In addition, he also gives great testimony to the person of God, when he as an ambassador of God shows the love of God in his actions toward others.
While faith and hope are both extremely and vitally important to the child of God, it is as vital that the child of God first possess charity from God, and then is faithful to display that love to his family, friends, neighbors and even yes, to his enemies.
When a child of God is faithful to portray the love of God in his actions, it is a beautiful portrayal of the life of the Lord Jesus and will motivate others to follow suit. So in this sense, charity is the greatest of these.
May the Lord's people be mindful and diligent to express their love one to another by serving and ministering to one another.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Faith, Hope & Charity
"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity"
(1 Corinthians 13:13).
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5 comments:
It reminds me of the song Charity in our song book, 266 in the number 11. Gary and I enjoyed reading this. I think that you did a good job with your summary of point one.
Gary says though, "Don't forget that no matter how good we do if we don't do it for the right reason then we are as a 'sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.'
Chris: I enjoyed the two points you discussed in this post. You did a great job explaining two of the most important reasons charity is the greatest of the three. I read this first on Saturday and it's been on my mind often since then.
Dani: I also appreciate Gary's thoughts on this, which are very important to remember.
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! :)
Yes. I like these posts. So, we're starting with requests now? Maybe Gary should make another!
Dani & Gari: Glad you enjoyed the post. Certainly our motive must be the praise of our God, otherwise our action is no longer charity, "love in action," but a work that we may consume upon our lusts.
Lyd: Glad you also enjoyed it, and thanks for the birthday wishes. It was a good day, many phone calls and topped off with a nice steak supper at Texas Roadhouse! Yum!
Strem: Certainly, I'll take requests! I like 'em, as they give me ideas to write about...so make more Gary, and you can too, Strem! :) And glad you enjoyed it too. I think its a very good verse.
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