January 2022
By Seth Halpern/Editor In a season of a prolonged pandemic, tremendous sickness and loss, social and political unrest, and increasing economic uncertainty, it is easy to feel hopeless. Fortunately, a pursuit of God and a regular (and deep) diet of the Word of God can lead us out of hopelessness and into a rock-steady place of Hope. One of the most quoted Bible verses comes at the end of what is known as the “Love Chapter”. Sandwiched between two chapters in which the Apostle Paul discusses spiritual gifts, Romans chapter 13 is perhaps the most beloved chapter in the Word of God. After describing what “Love” looks like in everyday life, Paul finishes this beautiful chapter in verse 13 saying “So now faith, hope, and love
abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” It’s not surprising that Paul would call Love the greatest of the three since He spent the chapter discussing it. But what of Faith and Hope? If these three characteristics are siblings, then Faith and Hope are twins.
Hope is clearly tied to Faith in such a way that a study of the word and concept of Hope is difficult to isolate from Faith. Yet, Hope is used hundreds of times in God’s word, so it must be significant. I believe the difference is in nuance. Just as there is a great deal of discussion about Love, there is also ample description and examples of Faith. We have Hebrews 11, the beloved “Hall of Faith”, filled with examples of those mighty in faith.
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Additionally, the book of Hebrews acts as a Bible Dictionary/Commentary in the first verse of the chapter, telling us “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” There we have it. Love is clearly described as “sacrifice” with Jesus being
the greatest example of one giving up His “rights” and indeed, His very life, for the sake of others including you and me! Next, Faith is described as believing, trusting, holding onto the “author and
finisher of our faith” (Heb 12:2). Faith believes and doesn’t doubt the Word of God, God’s provision for our daily needs, etc. But what of “Hope”? If the threeFaith, Hope, and Love were personified as siblings noted earlier, then Hope might be the middle who is often overlooked! Could this be the case? Remember, Paul said that there are three (implying that these are the three greatest Godly characteristics). Hope is clearly tied to Faith in such a way that a study of the word and concept of Hope is difficult to isolate from Faith. Yet, Hope is used hundreds of times in
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