We are all familiar with the last verse of 1 Corinthians 13—“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” But did you know that this is not the only time Paul grouped these three virtues together like this in one verse? He speaks of the same three virtues in another place in his letters, and he says something about them that is very instructive for us today. When Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in the newly established church in the city of Thessalonica, he told them that he was always giving thanks to God for them and that he was constantly mentioning them in his prayers. What was it that prompted Paul to constantly give thanks for them and to remember them in his prayers? His own words were: “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Notice what it is that Paul remembers: their work of faith, their labor or love, and their steadfastness of hope. Practicing and embodying these virtues is not easy: it calls for work, labor, and steadfastness.

When Paul recalled their faith, it was not mere mental agreement that he remembered. He remembered their work of faith. Their faith led them to action. Biblical faith cannot be limited to ‘head knowledge.’ The evidence of faith is in the action that springs from it. And what that action looks like is submission and obedience to the word of God. The path of the Master requires trust and diligence; it truly is a work of faith. Paul also remembered their labor of love. Hollywood has convinced us that true love is supposed to be the easiest thing in the world. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Loving another person in a godly way is one of the hardest things! Yet that is exactly what we are called to as Christians, for Jesus commanded us to love one another as he loved us (John 15:12). The Christian life is not easy; it truly is a labor of love. Finally, Paul remembered the Thessalonians’ steadfastness of hope in Jesus. When life is good it is easy to say we are trusting in the promises of God, but when things are tough, it is difficult to remain steadfast in that hope. Since the Christian life is more like a marathon than a 100-meter sprint, God calls us to faithfulness and endurance throughout a lifetime. The way of discipleship is not always easy; it truly calls for a steadfastness of hope.

If Paul knew you, would he remember your work of faith, your labor of love, and your steadfastness of hope? This week, remember to translate faith into action, to labor at showing love, and to anchor your life in the unchanging hope that is in Christ.