Life in Christ is like a marathon race or a championship fight (2 Tm 4:7). The Christian life is both a joyous celebration (see Phil 4:4) and "a great contest of suffering" (Heb 10:32). To win the victory, we must have faith, hope, and love. By faith, we can move mountains (Mt 17:20). By hope, we can persevere in even the longest marathon (1 Thes 1:3). With love, we can cover "a multitude of sins" (1 Pt 4:8). "Love never fails" (1 Cor 13:8).
If we are to persevere in the Christian life, we must grow in faith, hope, and love. "Faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word of God" (Rm 10:17, our transl). "We know that affliction makes for endurance, and endurance for tested virtue, and tested virtue for hope" (Rm 5:3-4). "The fruit of the Spirit is love" (Gal 5:22). This fruit is often produced by discipline (see Heb 12:11).
Therefore, treasure God's Word, afflictions, and discipline, and you will live in Christ now and forever.
| PRAYER: | Prayer: Father, give me ever-increasing faith, hope, and love. |
| PROMISE: | Promise: "The Lord loves His people, and He adorns the lowly with victory. Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon their couches; let the high praises of God be in their throats." –Ps 149:4-6 |
| PRAISE: | Praise: St. Augustine is seen as one of the most important Church Fathers in Western Christianity. Among his most important works are The City of God. Praise You, Jesus, for revealing your truth to St. Augustine. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College