“Faith and Hope” will become History – “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

When this world is over and Jesus returns, we will love for eternity; faith and hope, however, will no longer be needed in their present form—they will be fulfilled.

In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul contrasts temporary miraculous gifts (prophecy, tongues, and partial knowledge) that would cease when the completed revelation of the New Testament arrived, with the permanent excellence of love. Faith and hope also belong to this present age in which we “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). When we see Him face to face and know fully even as we are fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 22:4), faith as the conviction of things not seen and hope as expectation of what is still future will be realized. Only love remains forever, because God is love (1 John 4:8, 16).

In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man is still concerned for his family even in torment. He cares for them, yet that love does not change the destiny fixed by the choices he made in this life (Luke 16:19–31).

When Jesus returns, faith and hope will not be relative but fulfilled. At that point our past choices to follow Christ according to God’s will, not our own, will determine our eternal destiny. We will appear before Him and hear either “welcome into the kingdom” or “depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (see: Matthew 7:21–23).

Our choice is now!

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24–26)

Reverences: 1 Corinthians 13:8–13; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:1; Romans 8:24–25; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 22:4; 1 John 4:8, 16; Luke 16:19–31; Matthew 7:21–23; Matthew 16:24–26; Matthew 25:34 

God First!