Faith Hope and Love

Olivia, a beautiful angel in heaven, was on her way to the throne room to talk to Father God. She had found a window in the side of heaven where she could watch things happening on earth. Every time she didn't understand something she would ask Father God about it, and He would explain it to her.


This morning was one of those times. Olivia, as always, was excited to hear what Father God would tell her.


“Good morning, Father God.”

“Good morning, Olivia. I am so happy you are here to talk with Me again this morning. I love our conversations.”

“Oh, Father God, I love You so much, and I would never want to start my day without talking to You.”

“I love you too, Olivia. What is on your mind today?” Father God asked.

“Well, I heard Paul the apostle talking to people about faith, hope and love. He said that the greatest of these is love. I don’t understand why love is greater than faith or hope. It seems like people would be lost without faith or hope.”

“That is true, Olivia, but let’s talk about these three things. First of all, what do you think faith is?”

I think faith is believing in something you can’t see, and you can’t hear or touch. Only one person has ever seen You. That was Moses, and even he only saw the back of You because if he saw Your face he would have died. Very few people have ever heard Your voice, and no one has ever touched you, so they have to have faith that You really exist.”

“That is true, Olivia. They can see what I have created and how I make everything work together perfectly, but they have to accept I really am who I say I am without tangible proof. That is faith.

” So, what do you think hope is?”

 “Well, Father God, hope would be like when someone makes you a promise but there isn’t any proof that it will really happen, so they have to hope it is true. People on earth have seen that everything You have promised has been coming true, one by one. I think that is what gives them hope that the other things You have promised them, like heaven and eternal life with You, are going to prove to be true also. Many people don’t believe in You or serve You. They have no hope, but the people who love and serve You have great hope. So I guess hope is believing your promises are true, without having tangible proof.”

God smiled, “Yes, Olivia, you have a good understanding of hope. Now, the last question is, what do you know about love?”

“Oh, my,” said Olivia, “love is wonderful. It comes in many forms. They love their job, their pets and their homes. They also love the world You created for them, music, and they love life. But the most important kind of love is the love they have for each other. It’s like You said one time, ‘No greater love hath mortal man than to give up his life for a friend. When they really love someone, nothing will ever change that.”

“You are so right,” Father God answered. “Now I have another question for you. Do you have faith?”

“Of course I do,” Olivia’s eyes widened.

“No, you don’t,”

“What do You mean, Father God? How could I not have faith. I am right here with You and I know You are real.”

“And that is exactly why you don’t have faith, Olivia. You don’t need faith, since you are with me. Because you see Me and talk to Me every day. You know Me. You have personal knowledge, and that does not require faith. That means you do not have faith.”

“Oh, I understand,” she said. “That is true, but I had never thought of that.”

“Now I have another question for you. Do you have hope?”

“Oh, yes, Father God. I am living in heaven with You. I know Your promises are real.”

“Yes, you are living here in the fulfillment of my promise of eternal life with me, and that means you don’t have hope, you have the experience. You only need hope for things that are still in the future. Your eternal life is right here, and you are living it. Hope is not needed.”

“So, the last question is, do you have love?”

“Oh, Father God, I have so much love, it is amazing. First of all, I love You more than I can ever express. I also love all the other angels, and the millions of people who have already arrived here from earth. Heaven is overflowing with love.”

“Yes, Olivia. This time you are correct.”

“So, you see, when Christians get to heaven they no longer need faith or hope, so it ceases to exist. But, the love in their hearts gets greater. In fact, their love will continue to grow through all eternity.”

“Now do you understand? Of faith, hope and love, faith and hope will end for each person, some day. Love is the only one that goes on forever. That is why it is the greatest.”

“Father God, thank You for explaining that to me. Now it makes so much sense.”

“My pleasure, Olivia.”