Faith, Hope and Love - 8 May 2009

   “ There are three things that will endure - faith, hope and love –

    and the greatest of these is love.”   1 Corinthians 13:13

Modern psychology doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with the Bible, but in one area there is some agreement. Psychologists tell us that for a full and effective life we need to be able to express love and have the opportunity to experience love. Without these abilities a person will be “stunted in their own soul”.

The Bible uses different terminology but makes a similar point. The Corinthian Christians were very excited about their ability to use spiritual gifts and to engage in spiritual exercises. But in 1 Corinthians 13 Paul tells them that all of his spiritual gifts would be no good to anybody, including himself, if they were used without love.

Faith is an instinctive part of our make-up. We struggle to survive without trusting.

Hope is also necessary. It is what keeps us going in times of trouble and despair.

Our faith in God will see us through the current economic climate and we hope we will come through relatively unscathed.

Love will always be paramount. Because love is the language of our relationship with God, and with others. Love is the greatest.

That being the case, we are well advised to acquaint ourselves with the Bible’s teaching on love – what love is and how it functions. 1 Corinthians 13 is a good place to start.

Love really does make the world go round and our lives go forward – forever.

May you each feel God’s love every day of your lives.