Today, the meanings of divine faith, hope and love are considered in the light of the personhood of GOD being spirit substance that also puts forth flesh and blood. Among Christian believers these three are made visible in lovingkindness, obedience, respect, restraint, and sacrifice (we say, unselfish giving). One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:
Christians: What does it mean , that GOD Loves you? and what does that Love do for you?
....and what is hope. isn't hope just a wish.
...and faith what about faith
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (Romans 13: 7-14, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Through Love Not Persuasion? (01/18/2018); Praying For “More Faith”? (01/12/2018); What Do Christians Expect? (01/09/2018); To Define “Godly Love” (08/20/2017); The Practice of Love (07/27/2017); Divine Law Expresses Love (05/10/2017); Hope That Is True
Saying (02/20/2017); “GOD is Love” (12/18/2016); Herein Is True Love (10/21/2016)
“Anonymous”, the definitions and meanings for “faith”, “hope”, and “love” that are used by Christian believers must be received as elements within a full system and vocabulary of sacred things, and things that pertain to duration, existence, immortality, incorruption, and sovereignty. Just as more than simply passing, or temporal emotions, feelings and thoughts must come into view, inseparable, unseen aspects of the content and makeup of GOD always must be addressed. For example, there also are forbearance, holiness, oneness without sameness, eternal purpose, righteousness, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin.
Deity must provide the elements that allow created beings and living creatures to be in continuous, ongoing communication, exchange, and interaction with themselves (we say, the GODhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit). Only by the multiple operations of GOD can divinity exist to the living as knowable, known, accessible, and approachable. Sinners must search for, and discover within their own life experiences the many points of truth that fit together as divine revelation, and sacred knowledge in place of secular knowledge.
There is no single object or thing to completely, correctly describe all that is involved where we speak of faith, hope, and love. Therefore, throughout the holy writings we find different and new expressions to “approximate” (i.e., get increasingly closer) to the full and most necessary understandings. For this reason, definitions will vary in agreement with the intent of the statement they appear in; in agreement with the peculiar covenant relationships shared by GOD and those of his creation; in agreement with various sacred operations (e.g., deliverance, judgment, reconciliation, salvation, sanctification); and in agreement with specific proclamation, promises, and prophecies.
Because “love” pertains to the “quality” of ones experience of life, “to love” is to impart, or add dimension (e.g., completeness, depth, richness) and value to another without demanding payment, or return. Because believers are commanded to be forward-looking, main specific memorials and observances, and prepare to witness fulfillment of all divine utterance, “to hope” is to obey commands to continue in expectation of the word of GOD actually being carried out, performed, and completed by GOD. Because “faith” is a blending of accountability, commitment, and integrity of ones makeup, “to have faith” is to display balance, maturity, stability, and a similitude of divine immutability (we say, “the image of GOD;” the likeness of the unchanging character and nature of GOD). Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:
(1.) John 4: 23-24, King James Version (KJV): 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
(2.) Colossians 3: 9-17, KJV: 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (3.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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