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Is There Hope?

Is There Hope?

Last updated on: April 11, 2024 at 9:30 am by Faith E. Richardson

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Is There Hope? 2024-02-29T16:19:16-07:00 Faith E. Richardson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A dove, a cross and t he hand of God

Who could be against me? Pixabay-Gerd Altmann

Love, Wisdom, Power- Part One

In a world so full of hate and destruction there must be an upside side, right? A hope that things will look up, turn around, and get better. There most definitely is. Let me show you.

Love

After watching His people suffer, God knew it was time to execute His plan. He loves us so much that He sent His only son, Jesus, to the world. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

God calls us to love because He is love (1 John 1:8).

1 Corinthians 13

Paul explains the importance of love. Paul writes that we can speak in tongues of men or angels, but if we don’t have love, we are just a resounding gong or clanging cymbal. If we have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if we have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, we have nothing. He shares that we can give everything to the poor and work so hard we could boast, but if we don’t have love, we gain nothing.

Then Paul continues with a beautiful list explaining just what Love is. Because of the scripture, 1 John 1:8 God is Love, I have made Love a proper noun in Paul’s list. Love is patient, Love is kind. He does not envy, He does not boast. He does not dishonor others; He is not self-seeking. He is not easily angered, and He keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Because of our unwilling hearts, and our turning a blind eye, God, or should I say Love, saw the desperation we drove ourselves into and wanted to rescue us from ourselves. Because of His Love for us, we get Jesus.

Wisdom

Wisdom is something we should all aspire to have one day. I know I do. Even at 51, I’m still learning. I will never reach the end of learning and will most likely never be 100% wise. But nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26).

Soloman asked for wisdom, and he was the wisest man in all the world. People of all nations came to hear his teachings. Even Queen Sheba came to meet him (1 Kings 10). But in all his wisdom, Solomon knew it was not enough to have everything one could desire. He was rich beyond measure and wise beyond approach, but still, none of this could quench his innermost desires. He knew without God it was all meaningless.

Jesus, God’s Wisdom, left the heavenly throne of Love and became a man. He would walk among us humans giving us counsel. Being a true example of how Love has requested we live so that we, too, can join Him in heaven one day.

Road Map for Life

His wise example is our road map to eternal life should we choose to follow it with our whole hearts. Wisdom taught not only about Love but also respect, honor, and obedience.

He taught that we should Love God and Love our neighbor as ourselves. Wisdom taught that we should give to Cesar what is Cesar’s and to God what is God’s. He showed us how to honor our mother and father and to follow Him wholeheartedly.

Wisdom was tempted but did not give in to Satan’s ploy. He was confronted but showed compassion. Was betrayed and still loved his betrayer. He loved the poor, blessed the widows, and hugged the children. Jesus is the perfect example of how we should live, and when it was the right time, He became the perfect sacrifice; taking our sin to the cross so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

Before His departure, though, He promised to send us a helper. (John 14:15-17)

Stay tuned to see who Wisdom sends as a helper. You don’t want to miss this!

Evangelical

Women in Religion

About Faith E. Richardson

Faith E. Richardson was born in Traverse City, Michigan. She lived there nine short years before moving with her mom to Fort Worth, Texas where she would remain for another eighteen years. After meeting Trent, the love of her life, they married and moved to Colorado where they raised their two children. Currently retired from decades of human resource work, Faith renewed her passion for writing. Her life experiences and dramatic flair for storytelling draw the reader in with thought-provoking material on the wonder and truth of spiritual encounters. It's her desire to get her readers as excited about the Holy Spirit as she is. You can read more about the author here.

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