There was a song recorded by Eddie Arnold some time ago called, “Just Call Me Lonesome”. A significant line in the song asks the question, “what good is life when hope is gone?” As human beings, we always hope for a better life. We would be the most pitied without hope. But faith has to come first. Faith, unlike mere belief, always has an impact on behavior. But the Bible says that Love is the most important. Faith sustains us now—Hope urges us on—Love gives us peace and the power to persevere and keeps us free. 1st Corinthians 13:13 says “So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
It is right that faith is listed first. Hebrew chapter 11 is sometimes called the roll-call of the faithful. Verses 13-16 set forth the basis for faith and hope. “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. People who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have the opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, which is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city.”
Our faith, the acceptance of and obedience to the gospel message make it clear that we too are seeking that home in heaven; the hope that urges us on. Psalm 33:20-22 gives a complete statement of our hope: “Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name. Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, According as we have hoped in you”. Hebrews 12:1-2 gives us guidance: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God”. Let faith, hope and the love of Christ give us peace and the power to persevere and urge us on to freedom.
We are just a spiritual family of Christians endeavoring to learn and live God’s Word– nothing more and nothing less. If this is your desire also, won’t you join us?
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