Faith, Hope, Love

Written by Fr. Dale Minor - Reclaim Ministry - Rutland, OH

 “But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before; (Ref. Jer. 31:33-34) “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then he adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.”  (Heb. 10: 15-18)

In chapter 10 of the Epistle to the Hebrews, the author explains to these who have for centuries lived under the law of Moses, believing that by keeping this law, they would be saved. They also knew that in the weakness of men, there would be failures. No one could keep all facets of the law, therefore it was necessary to make regular sacrifices, an offering of the blood of an animal, to free them from the consequence of their sin.  

So here, In Hebrews 10, we are reminded of the prophetic word from Jeremiah and are told how Jesus solved their problem.  “No longer,” they are told, “will you need to make these animal sacrifices, for One who is greater than any other on earth, Jesus the Son of God, has given of himself to be sacrificed for us. He has taken away our sin, once and for all.”

Now, it is important that we understand, the words, “I will remember no more,” does not mean to forget, but that the Lord has chosen not to hold the sin against us any longer.  It also does not mean that our sin will be freed from all earthly consequences. There are civil laws which may deal out punishment and there are relationships which will need to be reconciled.  But it is a salvation issue; as God has forgiven our sin, He has chosen not to count them against us in the day of judgment.

Following this word, the author of Hebrews explains the necessity that we hold firm to what he refers to as “The Confession of our Hope.” (verse 23) Just what does this mean?  In Hebrews 10:19-25 the author marries together the three great virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love.  “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching.” (The Day refers to the day of Christ’s return)

Faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit, (1 Cor. 12:9) it is the means and power by which we have hope in His promises.  Hope, being the outgrowth of faith, cements our love for God and through Him, our love for one another.  “And now abide faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor. 13:13) Faith enables us to come to God, but love teaches us and enables us to imitate Christ.  This fulfills our purpose as children of God, established from the beginning, having been made in His image.  God is love; therefore, being in His image requires that we love Him and all he has created.

Our culture has fallen far short in this commandment of love.  Evidence of our culture demonstrates that we have directed our love toward ourselves and for the idols of material possessions. None of this is ordained by God and can have no other outcome but estrangement from Him.  So, with the assuredness that the day of His return is closer today than it was yesterday, hear this final word from Hebrews 10, verses 35-39:

    “Therefore, do not cast away your confidence, which has so great a reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 
    “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him,” (ref. Luke 18:8, Hab, 2:3-4, Rom 1:17)     
    “But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”

​