1:4
Paul then gives the reasons for his thanksgiving. He gives thanks because they have faith in Christ Jesus, and they have love for all the saints. These two qualities are the most valuable things we can have. Way more valuable than any material possessions we might have, or any worldly status. These are things we should seek to cultivate in our lives. “All the saints” is translated as “all God’s people” in some versions (the less literal ones). This is OK, but does miss a vital element. “All the saints” means all the people who are set apart for God’s purposes. We are not normal! Our role in life is not to be like everyone else, it is to be the people God has called us to be. And our purpose is to be part of God’s purpose. Our purpose is not to make lots of money, to become famous or to get promotion. These things might happen, and God does bless His people, but the value of our lives are not measured by these things. We are here for God’s purposes.
1:5
Hope now gets added to faith and love. Faith and love spring from this hope. What is this hope? It is stored up in heaven, where no one can get at it (Matt 6:19,20). It is completely secure. And this hope was declared in the gospel.So again, what is it? It is that we will be raised from the dead, we will be with Christ forever, we will be transformed to be perfectly like Christ, we will reign with Him, sharing in His inheritance. Faith and love spring from this hope. It sets us free to love. Often it is fear that stops us from loving, for we fear losing out, fear the cost that might be involved.
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