#CHURCHTALK 26: Benediction: The tripod virtues of the Christian faith

2 Corinthians 13:14 [KJV] 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

The verse above is more commonly known as the benediction in every Christian assembly. It is declared by all at the end of Christian fellowship, not just as a routine, but as a blessing.

But, is it just a benediction? In fact, why is it a benediction, in the first place? Why did the Apostle Paul close his second letter to the Corinthians with it, and why did early believers adopt it for closing every Christian fellowship/assembly? 

The answer to these questions is found in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, and defines the tripod virtues of the Christian faith and life. 

1 Corinthians 13:13 [NLT] 

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

The two (2) Bible passages above perfectly link to each other. The latter explains the former. And together, they both give us full understanding of the fullness of God's purpose in Christian life and living.

Faith, hope and love are the three most fundamental virtues of Christian life and living. They are the fruit of the life of Christ in a man—which is the essence of Christianity.

So, how do the two (2) Bible passages connect? 

Here's how: To the person who believes in Christ, 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ gives us Faith:

"Faith" here refers to the capacity to believe in and appropriate to one's self the provisions that are made for us in Christ. Grace is "favor and spiritual blessing". We are favored in Christ to believe in God's provisions through Him for our eternal good. It is a spiritual blessing for it imparts our spirits with the life of God. 

Ephesians 2:8 [KJV] 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

This faith is what births salvation (redemption and peace with God) in a man. Hence, sometimes, it is called "saving-faith". Faith is the beginning, course, and end of the Christian experience and life. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, nor have Christ's blessings. 

The love of God gives us Hope:

Apart from having your own provisions with you, nothing else gives hope like when you know that someone else who can provide loves you: because you know they will. This is exactly what the knowledge of the love of God does to he or she that believes. 

Love is "a choice to be with or to give one's self to". It is rooted in perfect knowledge. Knowledge that is perfect in quality, not quantity. It's not about how much you know about the object, but the balance of the much you know. 

Ephesians 1:4 [KJV] 

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

When believers read Bible passages such as the one above, they are reminded of the undying, faithful love of God towards them, because of which they know that life is provided for them eternally. 

This love doesn't only reassure them about God's provision of food and the necessities of life, but most importantly, of God's personal commitment to ensuring that their souls are saved in the end. See how the Apostle Jude expressed his own knowledge of this:

Jude 1:24-25 [KJV] 

24. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

25. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

More recently, British Christian songwriters, Keith Getty and Stuart Townend expressed theirs' using an excellent choice of words in the last stanza of the song titled "In Christ alone":

"No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life’s first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand:

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand."

The love of God is breathtaking; overwhelmingly hope-filling. It satisfies the soul of man. 

The fellowship of the Holy Spirit gives us Love.

Do you know how spending time with someone can make you fall deeper in love with them? That's what the fellowship (participation) of the Holy Spirit does to the believer. 

This is why Jesus had to send Him to the world after He left, so that He could be with us, participating with us in our daily living, drinking together with us the mysteries of God's grace in Christ, and so establishing our hearts in a desire, passion and choice for God everyday. He makes us love God and man the more. And this love is the greatest virtue we can have. 

Romans 5:5 [KJV] 

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Everything you will ever need for successful Christian living is somehow tied to faith, hope or love, either directly or indirectly. A careful reflection will show this.

As a believer, an easy way to examine yourself is by asking yourself the following questions:

How is my faith? 

How is my hope? 

How is my love? 

Examine yourself today.

Chukwubuikem Paul Anunaso, a CNBC Africa opinion writer and civil/structural engineer in Lagos, Nigeria. He is also the editor of The Paul Anunaso Blog, and can be reached at anunaso.cp@gmail.com

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