But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NLT)
Some time ago, while reading Acts chapter three and the account of Peter and John bringing healing to the man at the Temple Gate, something jumped out at me that I had never noticed before.
Look at this account with me in Acts 3:1-7 says, “Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted [him] up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.”
Notice the very first verse says “Now Peter and John went up together.” It seemed that throughout the three and a half year ministry of Jesus on the earth that Peter, James and John were the main three in Jesus’ inner circle. And in that circle, there appeared to be conflict at times between Peter and John. Undoubtedly the two of them, along with the rest of the 120 people in the upper room, must have worked out their differences, thus setting the atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to be poured out.
What struck me about Acts 3:1 is that Faith and Love were walking together. Peter had become known by his revelation of faith in Jesus as the Messiah and he was also the only one of the twelve willing to step out of boat and walk on water. John, however, was known by his revelation of God’s love for him. Throughout the book of John he referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Now of course Jesus loved all of them, but John had a deep revelation of this love and was able to personalize it in his own heart.
The third thing that jumps out, is that when faith and love walked together they brought hope. Notice that the lame man “looked at them, expecting to receive something from them.” The New Testament Greek word for “Hope” is the word elpis it actually means “to expect” or “expectation.”
In order for us to see and experience the miraculous in our lives and the lives of others through us, we must walk in the “dynamic duo” of faith and love too. But this “dynamic duo” quickly becomes a “triple threat” to the kingdom of darkness, because when they walk together, they bring hope.
Today, in your business, workplace, school, home or wherever you are, walk in the faith of who you are in Christ and His love for you. And as you do, you will bring hope to those around you and see miracles too.
Today’s Thought: When faith and love walk together, hope arises and the miraculous becomes the normal.