I know you’ve probably heard that often quoted phrase, “The greatest of these is love”. I completely agree. At the beginning of that verse are two other virtues which play an important role as well.
“ Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 CEV
Hope works with faith which works with love and the greatest of these is love.
“For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love.” I Corinthians 13:13 CEV
I have the following verses written in the back of one of my Bibles.
“ I say this because our hope of being right with God comes through faith. And the Spirit helps us feel sure as we wait for that hope. 6 When someone belongs to Christ Jesus, it is not important if they are circumcised or not. The important thing is faith—the kind of faith that works through love.” Galatians 5:5-6 ERV
God has created us with a spiritual DNA of hope, faith and love.
We all have a hope for something/Someone greater than ourselves to help us through this life. No one is a “self made” man or woman. No matter how hard we try to be completely independent we rely on God.
Let me explain. We depend on our body to function properly; our heart beats and circulates blood throughout our body – life giving blood. Our lungs process the air we breathe and fill that blood with oxygen that is needed for the reproduction of cells. I could go on, but you get the point. We rely on God, knowingly or unknowingly, because He’s the one who causes our body to work in concert with itself.
We hope for a better future. Our hope builds our faith; without faith we cannot please God.
“It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 MSG
Our faith brings us to God. The One who not only created us but also cares for us and loves us.
“ God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. 17 God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!” John 3:16-17
God’s love devised and implemented a plan for mankind to be reconciled from our sins. His was a plan of love! Not willing for anyone to perish and go to hell, He sent His Son to be our Savior.
We hope for a better life, we put our faith in God and His love never fails us. Our hope, our faith but His love.
The greatest of these is love!