Originally Posted by
burgyeb
How Are the Three Remaining Things Connected
There are three things that will remain when other things pass away, according to the Word of God.........."faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV)
The biblical definition of love was discussed. Is there a biblical definition of faith? Yes. Hebrews 11 describes and defines faith, as I Corinthians 13 describes and defines love.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 KJV)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)
Without faith it is impossible to please God.... (Hebrews 11:6) However, faith works by love. (Galatians 5:6) The greatest displays of faith in the absence of love is utterly useless. (see I Corinthians 13:1-3) Faith without love will not make it off of first base; it will go no where.
"Love always hopes" I Corinthians 13:7 [faithfulness]
The greatest hope known to mankind and the whole creation is the promised future glory. The mystery of this future glory is that it is to be revealed in the children of God. Even all of creation is eagerly awaiting this revelation. The creation (animate and inanimate) is actually groaning, along with the children of God "for their adoption as sons, the redemption of their bodies." (see Romans 8:18-23 NIV)
"For in this hope we were saved.But hope that is seen is no hope at all." (Romans 8:24-25 NIV) Salvation is by the grace of God (his unmerited favor, forgiveness and love), through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)
Praise the Lord!