Remain

Remain In My Love

“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV1984).

Love is the greatest of all three…

Why is love the greatest?

Faith is very important, after all we are told that without faith it is impossible to please God. Not only that, but we are saved by having faith in Jesus as God’s only Son. He who came to earth, was crucified on a cross, buried, and came back to life; to save us from our penalty of sin, redeem us, and reconcile us back into relationship with God the Father. Faith is needed and very important.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV).

Likewise, hope is very important. We are told that our hope is an anchor for our soul, sure and steadfast. Also, faith and hope are tied together. In Hebrews it is written, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (NKJV). Not only that, but in Romans 15:13 God is called ‘the God of hope,’ and we are told that God will fill us with joy, and peace in believing so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Hope is needed and very important.

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the presence behind the veil” (Hebrews 6:19 NKJV).

If it is impossible to please God without faith and we are saved through faith in Jesus; and if we are to abound in hope and if hope is an anchor for our souls…why is love the greatest?

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

God is love. We are commanded to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. And to love one another.

“Jesus said to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment, and the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22: 37-39NKJV)

Paul says faith, hope, and love remain.

(Remain means: to stay, abide, continue-in, persist, live, reside-in)

We are to stay in-love with Jesus.

When we demonstrate our love for God, by obeying His command to Love Him and to love one another, as He has loved us, we remain in Him.

Jesus said:

· “Remain in me and I will remain in you…” (John 15:4)

· “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love” (John 14:9)

· “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His love.” (John 14:10)

· “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15)

· “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching…” (John 14:23)

“A new command I give you, love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another” -Jesus

The Bible also says, “…love covers all sins” (Proverbs 10:12NKJV).

The blood of Jesus covers all our sins. He is love.

Paul says, “Love never fails” - God never fails.

Love is the greatest because God is love and He is the greatest!

Who are the people that remain in Him?

These 3 remain… faith, hope, and love…

1. Those that keep their Faith in Jesus

2. Those that keep their Hope in Jesus

3. Those that stay in-Love with Jesus

The greatest of these: LOVE

(“If you love me, you will keep my commands…” -Jesus)

Remain in-love with Jesus…He loves you dearly.

Until next time…Let us remain in faith, hope, and in-love with our Savior.

Shalom 😊