CONSIDER FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY

     Having given some thought to the passage of Scripture 
concerning "charity, faith and hope,"  from 1 Corinthians
chapter 13, I was compelled to get definitions of the three
words.  The best you will find are from Scripture.  Secular
sources also shed light on our understanding of the terms.

Let's deal with charity first, since it is stated as "greatest"
of  the three:  Charity may  be loosely defined;  eleemosy-
nary care in all dealings with others, whatever their state 
or status.  To express charity is to extend time, resources 
or support to those who have needs you are able to meet.  

This "action" is performed without prejudice, any hint of 

denigration or distain.  Rather, it is in the spirit of consi-

dering the one  for  whom you care to be a  peer in every

respect.  We must always take care to have an attitude of
"There, but for the grace of God, go I."  There is also the

principle of  Scripture;  "Therefore all things whatsoever

   ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to  

   them, for this is the law and the prophets."  (Matthew

  7:12)   Charity is the Lord's work and may only be done

in his name and power. (The fullness of the Spirit of God) 
If done "in the flesh," it will be fueled by self interest, with 

no positive, eternal effect or reward for the doer.  In later
English translations of Scripture, the word charity is ren-
dered love.  In this instance we might consider the wordssynonyms, but not synonymous. Charity could be defined 
as  "Love in action and  must produce  charitable actions 
toward others.       

       Hope is "earnest anticipation of future benefit not in

evidence." Faith may be defined; "the substance of things

hope for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

As long as faith and hope are based on knowledge of the

Word of God, (Scripture) they are the principles leading

one to  a dynamic,  personal  relationship with our Lord;
the ability to serve Him with heart, body, soul, and mind.   

Without these 3 principles at work in ones life, he is lost,

and there is no "hope" of  eternal life in Christ.  Motiva-
tion  for "charitable" acts is  the Love of our Lord Jesus
Christ with  a confessed belief that our eternal  life is of,
for, and by him.  
                            donporter,sr 7.30.18, edited 10.19.18