Faith, Hope, & Love

An early confession of faith? (Rom. 5:2-5; Gal. 5:5-6; Eph. 4:2-5; Col. 1:4-5; 1 Thess. 5:8; Heb. 6:10; 10:22-24; 1 Pet. 1:3-8; 21-22)

I. Faith

A. Saving Faith

 •	Knowledge (2 Thess. 2:10; 2 Tim. 2:25; Jn. 8:24)
 •	Assent (Jn. 2:22) Knowledge passed into conviction
 •	Trust (Jn. 3:15; 18) Conviction passed into confidence

B. Its power resides in Christ (Gal. 2:20; 3:22)

The saving power of faith resides not in itself, but in the almighty savior on whom it rests. It is not faith that saves, but faith in Jesus Christ. It is not, strictly speaking, even faith in Christ that saves, but Christ that saves through faith. The saving power resides not in the act of faith, but in the object of faith. We could not more radically misconceive saving faith than by transferring to faith even the smallest fraction of that saving energy which is attributed solely to Christ Himself.” B. B. Warfield

II. Hope

A. A component of faith (Heb. 11:1)

B. Faith in God’s promises of future realities (1 Cor. 15:20-28; Heb. 12:23; Jn. 14:2; Ps. 37:9)

III. Love

A. A life “toward” love (Phil. 4:8; Matt. 22:37-40)

B. Christ became ugly that we might become lovely (Isa. 53:3; Psa. 22:6)

Conclusion