Work of Faith, Labor of Love, and Steadfastness of Hope

Why is work of faith an important factor here? We should not get into the idea of faith come through the works we do. We should take our faith and produce good works in the name of Jesus. If we allow works to become the center point of our motivation, then we lose sight of God and His plan. We make God our reward for doing good deeds that come from a sinful heart. Our good works should be a gift from God because our faith has produced the good fruits. Do not idolize the works you do and replace God's allowance through faith. Labor love is the next key element of this verse. We should labor in the love of our heart that God has blessed us with. Anytime we do something, it should be out of love and without expectations of return. We should give love through our laboring. Finally, we come to steadfastness of hope or endurance of hope. Taking in the process and being joyful is a part of the process. We must be joyful through suffering for the outcome of joy in our hearts for Christ. All of the apostles gave their lives or endured torture for the Gospel, so that we may know the Lord our God. Be patient through the hard times and God will stand with you!

Here is an example!

1. You see someone sitting at the corner holding a sign that says, "need help and hungry." You go and grab them food and return to give it to them. The person thanks you and says God bless you. You say, "you are welcome and God bless you back." Afterwards you the thank God for allowing you to cross paths with this person and provide them with something to eat and glorify God. Your faith produced a good work for you to carry out by the grace of God.

Take the same scenario and flip it. 

2. You see someone sitting at the corner holding a sign that says, "need help and hungry." You go and grab them food and return to give it to them. The person thanks you and says God bless you. You say, "you are welcome and God didn't buy you the food I did." I am the good person that gave it to you and God is happy that I did.

Unfortunately, there are people that do think like that in the world. See how we are selfish to think we limit God to what we think He should be. Crazy right? Wrong! People act and think this way everyday. Atheist will argue that they are good hearted and want to help others because they are just that way; however, works do not work in our favor with a wicked sinful heart. Rejecting God and his grace bestowed upon us will only produce rotten fruit, regardless of your intentions. We must have living faith and do away with dead faith.

C.D Lake