Faith in Christ produces love and also produces hope. What does that hope do? Well, it gives us the ability to be steadfast under present trials, knowing that if we persevere in faith, we are certain to be saved. Now, just as Christian love—New Testament love—is to be distinguished from worldly love, so the same is true of steadfastness. Paul is not speaking here of a grim, stoic resignation. Paul is not saying,
You know, it is what it is. There’s nothing we can do about it. We might as well just grin and bear it.No, he is talking about a believing fortitude that faces trials and difficulties—even with joy:
Rejoice in tribulations,Paul can write in Romans 5:1–21. Why? Because of the certain hope of victory through Jesus Christ. This was the attitude that was expressed by Alexander the Great when he divided up his property before setting off to war. And one of his friends exclaimed,But you are keeping nothing for yourself!Oh yes, I am,Alexander answered.I have kept my hopes.William Barclay comments on how valuable that is:A man can endure anything so long as he has hope, for then he is not walking out into the night, but he is walking toward the dawn.That is a good description of what hope does for us.Maybe you are going step by step through something dark and difficult. In fact, you certainly are doing so as you follow the pilgrim journey of a Christian through this present evil age. But knowing your hope in Christ, you are walking toward the light. What greater hope a Christian has than even the fondest desires of a conqueror like Alexander! Paul puts it this way: Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).1
Richard D. Phillips
3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.