the triple crown
“You are proving your faith, and laboring in love, and showing constancy of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” —1 Thessalonians 1:3
Life in Christ is like a marathon race or a championship fight (2 Tm 4:7). The Christian life is both a joyous celebration (see Phil 4:4) and “a great contest of suffering” (Heb 10:32). To win the victory, we must have faith, hope, and love. By faith, we can move mountains (Mt 17:20). By hope, we can persevere in even the longest marathon (1 Thes 1:3). With love, we can cover “a multitude of sins” (1 Pt 4:8). “Love never fails” (1 Cor 13:8).
If we are to persevere in the Christian life, we must grow in faith, hope, and love. “Faith, then, comes through hearing, and what is heard is the word of Christ” (Rm 10:17). “We know that affliction makes for endurance, and endurance for tested virtue, and tested virtue for hope” (Rm 5:3-4). “The fruit of the Spirit is love” (Gal 5:22). These fruits of the Spirit are often produced by discipline (see Heb 12:11).
Therefore, treasure God’s Word, afflictions, and discipline, and you will live in Christ now and forever.
Prayer: Father, give me ever-increasing faith, hope, and love.
Promise: “The Lord loves His people, and He adorns the lowly with victory. Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon their couches; let the high praises of God be in their throats.” —Ps 149:4-6
Praise: St. Joseph Calasanz, a highly educated priest, opened a free school for children of the poor.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Developing a Deep, Personal Relationship with Jesus listen to, download or order our AV52-1 or DVD 52 on our website.)
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