Faith Hope Love

1 Corinthians 13 (known as the love chapter) ends by teaching that faith, hope and love remain and the greatest of these is love. 

This is how I check my love for others:

1) Do I have faith in them? Hebrews 11:1 teaches that faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. Do I see as reality the good God created in others (though it may not be apparent at the moment)?

2) Do I have hope for them? Do I live in expectancy that positive change can occur in people at any time?

3) Do I show love? If I have faith and hope, I desire to do good toward someone. I don’t want to “do good” out of a desire to people-please or fix someone’s life. The truth of God’s love is so much greater than what my mind could imagine love to be.  I need to be Spirit-led.  Sometimes I am to show love through prayer, an act only God sees.

Fulfilling others expectations is not love. Showing the love of God goes above and beyond expectations. The acts of love shown through God’s love honestly meet the needs of giver and receiver.

By the way, I also apply faith, hope and love to myself.  I am to love others as I love myself (Matthew 22:39).

I LOVE THIS LIFE!

Copyright 2013 Leah Lambert Smith