18. The Connections of Faith
Faith strengthens our hope and empowers our love …
In looking at our analogy of the "tree" of faith, hope and love, we saw that the "roots" of this tree can be said to be faith. What can we learn of the connections of those roots? First, compare what Paul wrote in the first and second chapters of his letter to the Colossians:
"…growing in the knowledge of God being strengthened with all power…" (Colossians 1:10-11 where this growing and strengthening seems to be equated with faith).
"…rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught …" (Colossians 2:7). In both cases we see that spiritual strength seems to be linked to faith. This is true in the sense that the strength of our hope and love are often directly dependent on the strength of our faith. Just as the strength or ability of a tree to survive is often a function of its roots, if we doubt, we have diminished hope, and if we lack faith to act, our works of love will likewise be limited. So in this general way faith certainly does connect to the "trunk" and "branches" of hope and love.
But there are also specific ways we can see connections between faith and those other qualities. In the Book of Romans Paul makes an important statement regarding our relationship with Christ: "…through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand" (Romans 5:2). Grace and love are often nearly synonymous in Paul's writings (2 Thessalonians 2:16, etc.), but whether we see a direct connection between the two in this verse or not, it is clear that Paul says we access or "tap into" God's grace through faith.
And look at what Paul told Philemon: "I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ" (Philemon 1:6). Here, our faith is clearly linked to our spiritual understanding, which is something that in turn will affect our hope. The connection between faith and hope (or its related quality, patience) is seen throughout the New Testament. Notice how Paul places them side by side in speaking of the Thessalonian Christians: … we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure" (2 Thessalonians 1:4 NKJV).
Another example of faith's connections is Galatians 5:5-6. We looked at this scripture earlier as an example of faith, hope and love, but notice the double connection it makes to faith: "For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope … The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Here, faith that affects our hope is placed alongside faith that expresses itself through love.
Verses such as these help us to remember that faith is far more than just abstract trust – it is the spiritual quality that takes over when hope might otherwise have faded. Faith is also the quality that so often enables us to act in love where we might not do so because of fear or doubt. It is no exaggeration to say that faith nourishes our hope and empowers our love – and as such we must never neglect the power of its connections.