Put on Faith, Love, and Hope
Dressed for the Day That's Coming
SCRIPTURE:
1 Thessalonians 5:8-9 CSB - But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
OBSERVATION:
In the opening verses of chapter one, Paul for the first time uses the familiar phrase “faith, hope, and love.” This would later be the summation of the thirteenth chapter of Corinthians. We know it as the “love chapter.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV - And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
In the opening verses, Paul says that the fruit of the “three great Christian virtues” was evident in their lives. Even though they had issues, the fruit of these three virtues was evident.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 CSB - We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:8-9 CSB - But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
OBSERVATION:
In the opening verses of chapter one, Paul for the first time uses the familiar phrase “faith, hope, and love.” This would later be the summation of the thirteenth chapter of Corinthians. We know it as the “love chapter.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV - And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
In the opening verses, Paul says that the fruit of the “three great Christian virtues” was evident in their lives. Even though they had issues, the fruit of these three virtues was evident.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 CSB - We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s stress is not on these virtues alone, but rather upon what they produce. – D. Edmond Hiebert
At the conclusion of this first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul makes something very clear. First, that we, as believers, will be caught up (raptured – the English word for the Latin “caught up”).
1 Thessalonians 4:17 CSB - Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
One day, because of the promise of Jesus and the work He accomplished on the cross, we WILL be caught up with Him and will remain with Him forever!
Second, Paul reminds us not only that we will be caught up, but also that we are not appointed to God’s wrath. God’s wrath (all of it) was poured out on Jesus on the cross. Jesus took ALL the punishment for our sins. When we receive the free gift of Jesus (salvation), we will NO LONGER experience God’s wrath. There is no need to pour it out on us, since Jesus took it. BUT those who refuse the free gift of Christ are saying they can receive the fullness of God’s wrath. This wrath will come in the form of “the great tribulation.” During this period, the totality of His wrath will be poured out on the UNBELIEVING.
Paul, in his masterful way, opens and closes with the same message. “Faith, Hope, and Love.” Not just the virtues, but the fruit of them. They will be evident to those who see us when you and I live out our lives loving Jesus, loving others, and waiting for His return. The fruit is not only evident but also fruitful. It will affect others.
APPLICATION:
Just as Paul uses the words “Faith, Hope, and Love” twice in this letter, he uses the word “encourage” twice.
1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11 CSB - Therefore encourage one another with these words… Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.
Paul wants you and me to encourage one another with the Fruit of “Faith, Hope, and Love.” As we see the day approach, these three will cause us to be excited about our Savior’s return. They will motivate us in love to share with the lost. They will bring great comfort to those who believe, even when facing great trials and testing.
Keep loving Jesus! Let the fruit of Faith, Hope, and Love overflow in us so those around us may be encouraged to look to Jesus. He is faithful!
PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for the love You have given us. Thank you that we will not experience God’s wrath because You took it upon Yourself. May the fruit of “Faith, Hope, and Love” be so evident in our lives that when people are around us, they are encouraged to look to You!
1 Thessalonians 4:17 CSB - Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
One day, because of the promise of Jesus and the work He accomplished on the cross, we WILL be caught up with Him and will remain with Him forever!
Second, Paul reminds us not only that we will be caught up, but also that we are not appointed to God’s wrath. God’s wrath (all of it) was poured out on Jesus on the cross. Jesus took ALL the punishment for our sins. When we receive the free gift of Jesus (salvation), we will NO LONGER experience God’s wrath. There is no need to pour it out on us, since Jesus took it. BUT those who refuse the free gift of Christ are saying they can receive the fullness of God’s wrath. This wrath will come in the form of “the great tribulation.” During this period, the totality of His wrath will be poured out on the UNBELIEVING.
Paul, in his masterful way, opens and closes with the same message. “Faith, Hope, and Love.” Not just the virtues, but the fruit of them. They will be evident to those who see us when you and I live out our lives loving Jesus, loving others, and waiting for His return. The fruit is not only evident but also fruitful. It will affect others.
APPLICATION:
Just as Paul uses the words “Faith, Hope, and Love” twice in this letter, he uses the word “encourage” twice.
1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11 CSB - Therefore encourage one another with these words… Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.
Paul wants you and me to encourage one another with the Fruit of “Faith, Hope, and Love.” As we see the day approach, these three will cause us to be excited about our Savior’s return. They will motivate us in love to share with the lost. They will bring great comfort to those who believe, even when facing great trials and testing.
Keep loving Jesus! Let the fruit of Faith, Hope, and Love overflow in us so those around us may be encouraged to look to Jesus. He is faithful!
PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for the love You have given us. Thank you that we will not experience God’s wrath because You took it upon Yourself. May the fruit of “Faith, Hope, and Love” be so evident in our lives that when people are around us, they are encouraged to look to You!
Faith, hope, and love aren't just virtues to admire — they're armor to wear daily and fruit that encourages everyone around you as you wait for Christ's return.
Posted in 13 - 1 Thessalonians
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