Each of these treasures, faith, hope and love is, in many ways, essential to the Christian life.
We are told by the scriptures that we should have faith in God, hope in His promises, and love God and others.
And one of the most obvious verses that these three are actually together is in: 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
It’s words that a follower of Jesus could pray and meditate on daily-and be reminded that faith, hope, and love are not only concepts to be discussed but actions to be taken in the way that we live, pray, serve, and follow God.
What Are Faith, Hope, And Love?
Faith Means Trusting God
Faith is simply putting our trust in God and counting on what He has promised, knowing in our heart that the promise of good things to come are true even when we can’t see our way forward.
Hebrews 11:1… Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Faith allows us to keep believing in God even when life is difficult or we don’t know what God is doing.
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust God with all our heart and not depend only on what we think we know.
Hope Means Looking to God
Our hope in God, then, is much more than wishing something will happen.
It’s a firm trust in God and what He has promised to do.
Romans 15:13 (NKJV) May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust Him.
May the Holy Spirit help you grow in hope.
Christian hope sustains us when we are in the dark. Our hope isn’t grounded simply on what is happening now. It’s founded on God and who He is.
Love Means Loving God and Others
Christian life begins with love.
2 Jesus summed up the greatest commandments by saying to love God and to love our neighbor.
In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus shows us what it looks like to love the Lord your God and to love your neighbor as yourself.
Here’s what love is according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:
It is patient and kind; it is not jealous; it does not brag; it is not arrogant; it does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own; it is not provoked; it does not take into account a wrong suffered; it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Bible Verses to Help Us Grow in Faith, Hope, and Love
Below are some encouraging Bible verses about these 3 vital parts of a Christian life.
1 Corinthians 13:13 – Faith, Hope, and Love
Our song for today is this verse that combines faith, hope and love.
Paul writes that these three remain but that love is the greatest.
This chapter speaks of the value of spiritual gifts and other abilities but that Christian living must be love.
Hebrews 11:1 – Faith
One of the most recognizable definitions of faith can be found in Hebrews 11:1 which is “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
This verse helps us to see that being faith isn’t based on everything being vision.
Romans 5:1-5 – Faith, Hope, and Love
Romans 5 links “being justified by faith” with “peace with God.”
Paul also says suffering produces perseverance, character and hope.
This verse refers to God’s love that He will put inside our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
This indicates that even in bad seasons Christian hope can grow.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 – Faith, Love and Hope
Paul reminisces about the works of the saints “that were produced by faith,” “labor motivated by love,” and “endurance inspired by hope.”
This can be a simple picture of how faith, hope and love can be seen in everyday life.
Faith prompts us to do something, love enables us to serve others and hope can help us to carry on.
Colossians 1:3-5 – Hope, Love, and Faith
Paul thanks God for the faith of the believers in Jesus and their love for God’s people.
He ties both of them with the hope that is stored up for them in heaven.
Their hope was not dissociated from their faith and love. It determined the course they took.
6 In Christ Jesus, circumcision is not what matters. What matters is having faith and showing love.
Galatians 6:5 — Each person must take care of their own work.
Galatians 6:7 – Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked.
A man reaps what he sows.
Galatians 5:6 What counts is “faith working itself out through love.”
It is a reminder to Christians that the words of the faith are not always enough.
True faith influences our words and actions towards other people.
How Can We Live by Faith, Hope, and Love?
The scriptural instructions are now part of everyday life for Christians.
Have Faith in God when you cannot see the way forward.
Faith will bring you to have confidence in God, as opposed to having to control everything.
Hold on to God’s promises.
Hope helps to remind you that where you are now isn’t the entire story.
Show love through your actions.
You can see love in kindness, forgiveness, patience, encouragement, and service.
Pray when life feels difficult.
Prayer allows us to express our fears, needs and hopes to God.
Encourage other believers.
Christians can help each other and grow in their faith, hope, and love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible verse talks about faith, hope and love?
All three are spoken of outright in 1 Corinthians 13:13, which states, “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But love is the greatest of all.”
Why Is Love the Greatest?
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul describes how love is necessary in our lives as Christians.
Love is not an emotion that we feel or a sensation that we experience.
Instead, it’s demonstrated through patience, kindness, humility, forgiveness, and perseverance.
What’s the difference between faith and hope?
Faith is believing in God. Hope is expecting from God.
The two work hand in hand in the Christian life.
How can I grow in faith, hope, and love?
Walk with Christ each day, spend time with God’s Word, pray often, trust God in hard times and seek opportunities to love and serve others.
These are everyday things that can form your walk with Christ.
Conclusion
Christian Living Faith, hope, and love are at the heart of the Christian life.
Faith teaches us to trust God. Hope teaches us to believe His promises.
Love teaches us to love God and love others.
The Bible puts these three together in 1 Corinthians 13:13. Faith can help us believe. Hope can help us endure. And love can inspire us.
These qualities serve as a reminder to focus on God and to take life each day with reliance, joy and love.
Pastor Daniel Reeves is a Christian pastor and Bible teacher who enjoys helping people discover the truth and hope found in Scripture. He writes about faith, prayer, God’s love, and practical Christian living. His desire is to make biblical teaching easy to understand and useful for everyday life.
