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I have had occasion to mention a couple of times recently what I have called the trilogy of graces, Faith, Hope and Love. These graces are mentioned together a number of times in Scripture and the connection between them is quite striking. Twice in particular our Lord brings them together in His life and teaching. Consider the events surrounding the raising of Lazarus.

John Ch 11 begins by telling us that ‘Jesus loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus’. (John 11:5). Then notice how in the hopelessness of the situation Jesus brings hope. First of all to His disciples as He tells them He is going to ‘wake him up’ (John 11:11). Then to Martha as He says ‘your brother will rise again’ (John 11:23) and also in the wonderful words ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die’ (John 11:25-26). The last phrase of course gives hope to all believers. Then at the graveside itself there is the wonderful call to faith ‘Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’ (John 11:40).

We might think too of the Lord’s words and actions in the Upper Room as He addresses Himself to His final walk into Jerusalem. John records, by the Holy Spirit, that ‘having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end’ (John 13:1). The next chapter begins with the Lord’s exhortation to His disciples to believe in God and also in Christ (John 14:1) and is followed immediately by His promise of hope (John 14:2-3).

I would encourage you to re-read the life of Jesus Christ in the gospels with these three amazing words in mind.

However moving on to the apostle Paul we also find him linking the three things together as they are found in the heart of the believer. Faith, Hope and Love when looked at together chart for us something of Christian experience. Think about the following. Please read the verses by each heading before going on.

CHRISTIAN PROGRESS Colossians 1:4-5

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, which is ultimately what makes a person a Christian, will always find a practical expression for James tells us that ‘faith without works is dead’. The evidence of faith in the believer is love to the people of God, and not just those whom he or she is acquainted with but , as Paul tells us, ‘all the saints’. With faith in Christ and love for His church we have a real hope of glory. That hope resides in the Gospel which is ‘the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes’. It is the Gospel that brings a faith which works by love.

CHRISTIAN ACTIVITY 1Thessalonians 1:3

The linking of Faith, Hope and Love in this verse is obvious. It outlines the activity of these precious gifts and graces. Faith works. In other words it is an active thing as it lays hold of and grasps the Saviour. It is not for nothing that we talk about the arm and hand of faith. These are the limbs that grasp and take hold of objects and are essential for work. Love labours. This word labour indicates expending strength to the point of weariness. Love for the Lord and His people will find its expression in active service without any concern for oneself. Hope works patience. Though the Christian is opposed by many enemies and there is much which tries to weaken faith and its work, to weaken our love and its labour, hope in Christ will make us patient and expectant, prompting us to be always ’looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith’ as we go through life.

THE CONSEQUENCE FOR THE CHRISTIAN Romans 5:1-5

These three graces when active in the Christian have wonderful consequences for us as these verses point out. The result of faith in Christ is justification and access to God our Father. Inevitably this moves into a sure and certain hope which when received fills us with rejoicing and expectancy. What then of love? Surely this will result in a complete fullness of all things. The Christian because of their faith, hope and love, has access to God because their sin is dealt with and thereby is full of joy and eager anticipation of the fullness of Christ and His love towards them.

THE CHRISTIAN'S COMPLETION 1 Corinthians 13:13

There is an ultimate fulfilment of the three graces we are looking at which is succinctly brought out in the closing verses of 1Corinthians 13. Faith will one day yield to sight. Glory will find us holding in the substance what we now understand and grasp by faith. Hope will soon disappear for the Christian as they pass from time into eternity for it will be realised. Our hope now is for the Lord’s appearing and to be in His presence for ever. That will cease to be hoped for because it will be entered into. That leaves love and love will find its completion as it abides and deepens for ever. Love will know nothing but only to increase as it beholds the Throne of God and the Lamb in the midst of it. Who can tell the depth of love when we see and join all the ransomed throng of the saints around that glorious throne?

Brothers and sisters indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we are blessed above men and angels themselves for we have these three glorious gifts and graces as ours, given us by the Spirit who took up residence in our hearts at the time of our conversion. Let us rejoice that we are justified by faith alone in Christ alone, that we have a joyful and expectant hope of glory in Christ alone, that the love of God is manifest in us and our love will before long find its ultimate consummation in Christ in His glory.

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