The greatest words ever written about the force of love is 1 Corinthians 13. Read at many weddings, these words are far more about community and how we live than just words of advice for the new couple. In fact, Paul wrote these words to a community that was in deep conflict—love is the way forward. This consequential treatise on love ends with three theological virtues. “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Love is the bedrock of our Christian faith and life; receiving the love of God and offering it to others. “We love because He first loved us.”
Last month I shared about our new Mission and Vision Statements at Prince of Peace:
Our Mission Statement
We serve God by drawing others into a community of belonging, where needs are met, Holy Scripture is lived out, and hope is nurtured through faith in Jesus Christ.
Our Vision Statement
Drawing upon our faith in Jesus Christ, and his example of love, we live what we believe, and grow the kingdom of God throughout our community.
“Love One another.” In John’s gospel, Jesus says this 5 times on the night of his betrayal. His final teaching and moments with the disciples before the events of his arrest, trial, and crucifixion center on this simple 3 word command—love one another. Simple in the fact that it is easy to understand. It is hard to implement. Really hard. Maybe that is why Jesus says it 5 times. Maybe Jesus really meant what he said…
If faith, hope, and love are the three theological virtues than it is important that they are central to our mission and vision for Prince of Peace. How do we grow in these three? How do we share these three as gifts to others? Faith, Hope, and Love are at the heart and soul of our mission and ministry at Prince of Peace. As such, they have been and will continue to be the lens through which all of our activities, actions, and opportunities are filtered. This is true for our public ministry together. I invite you to consider it for your personal living as well.
Does this help us love one another? How is this nurturing hope to confront the challenges of this world and our days? In what ways does this grow our faith and trust in Jesus? As we continue to embrace these new Mission and Vision Statements know that they are the matrix by which decisions are being made and our direction is pointed towards. The shorthand for all of it was given to us by Paul—Faith, Hope, and Love.
