Something began to happen to me as I began to hear and understand the gospel (the message and life of Jesus) back in the 1980s. Inside, there was a hunger to know God (the creator of all things), and there was a growing capacity to love Him and others, Today, I can see as the apostle Paul did that there is a connection between our faith (belief so strong we put our full weight upon it), love (the sacrificial actions stemming from a renewed heart) and hope (the eager expectation of heaven). The gospel has the power to activate all three within us.
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. Colossians 1:4-6 NASB
How is my hunger to know God today? Is my love as fervent as well? How has my faith remained?
God, as this day begins- the gospel holds the same power for me today. There is nothing more important than the life and message of Jesus. Help me walk in faith and love springing from the ultimate hope I have in You. I am so grateful for this life filled with love. Certainly these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is love. One day in Your presence, my faith will be sight, my hope realized and all that remains is love. Until then, I will strive to be the person You desire.
