The Bible says that love is greater than faith. (I Corinthians 13) That hasn’t always made sense to me.
To my way of thinking, with faith I could DO things, whereas if I only had love – well, it just seemed less productive. I now have a different perspective.
Jesus said that with faith I could move a mountain. But without love, I might move a mountain in such a way that people would be harmed. With faith I could possibly spare a friend from a difficult situation. But without love, I might help someone avoid one problem, and lead them squarely into a worse situation.
My faith should be in God alone. Only He knows which mountains to move, which trials to deliver people from, and which struggles are given for some purpose greater than we humans can understand. This confidence leaves me free to fulfill a higher role, which is to unconditionally love those around me.
The big three in the Christian life are faith, hope, and love. The Bible says that these attributes will last forever.
I’ve always kind of understood faith and love – at least intellectually, if not experientially – but hope has somewhat eluded me. Being a bit of a realist (certainly not an idealist), I’m typically not on the same page with those who always claim the silver lining inside every dark cloud. Now I find myself musing about something slightly troubling.
The Bible says that “faith is the substance of things hoped for.” Does that mean that if I do not have hope, I cannot have faith? Do I have to be hoping for something before I can have faith that it will come to pass?
Maybe I need to start thinking more about hope.
It’s hurricane season here in the U.S. Fairly regularly, storms threaten every house, business, and family in certain communities. Other parts of the country face fires, tornados, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.
There was a time when the disciples and Jesus were in a boat in the middle of a lake. The winds became terribly fierce. The disciples feared for their lives and begged Jesus to do something. Jesus spoke to the storm, and the lake became calm. “ ‘Who is this?’ the disciples asked themselves. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”
We will most likely never understand why tragedy affects one person and not another. We wonder why some people endure horrible destruction of their property, physical trials, or financial hardships, while others are spared entirely. Such questions usually remain unanswered.
We can, however, know with certainty that even the winds and waves obey Jesus. Whether we are protected or destroyed, a measure of peace is available to us, not only in the midst of the storm, but before and after it as well.
The Red Badge Of Courage is a book about Civil War soldier Henry Fleming, who deserts his battalion to save his own skin. As a result of his cowardice, Henry is injured and begins bleeding when a cannon operator hits him because Henry won’t let go of his arm. Feeling incredibly guilty, Henry returns to his unit. His comrades see the blood, surmise that he must have been grazed by a bullet, and consider him a courageous hero.
In my Christian experience, I have come in contact with groups who created their own “Red Badges” of spirituality, holiness, etc. Like the blood on Henry’s bandage, the source of these badges were not important, only the badges themselves.
For example, to one group, poverty was the badge. Poor people were exalted. The rich were frowned upon. The “hows” and “whys” didn’t matter. If you were poor yourself and ministered to the poor, you were in… otherwise, you were out.
Interestingly, I’ve also been exposed to those whose badge is wealth. To them, affluence and associating with the affluent is a badge of acceptance. The opposite is an indicator of deeper problems.
Many other “badges” could be substituted. Certain food and drink, or the avoidance of them. Various habits. Patterns of speech. Modes of dress. Political views. Education. Occupations.
Through all this I’ve formed a conclusion… there are no external badges of any kind that are of any consequence at all. God sees the heart. I can’t see the heart. All I can do is try to love.
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