Page 2 - Faith, Hope and Love, James, Peter and John

A REPETITIOUS THEME TOLD BY THE APOSTLE PAUL
ALWAYS CONTRASTED TWO KINDS OF CHRISTIANS:

IMMATURITY MATURITY

THOSE BEARING THE MARKS OF “ENVY, STRIFE AND
DIVISION” WERE KNOWN AS CARNAL CHRISTIANS
(BABES IN CHRIST). THE EXCEPTION WERE THOSE
CHRISTIANS KNOWN FOR THEIR LEVEL OF “FAITH,

HOPE AND LOVE.” THE LATTER WILL COMPRISE THE
BRIDE OF CHRIST.

THIS UNDERLYING THEME OF CHRISTIANS BEARING
THE MARKS OF “FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE” IS THE

MESSAGE OF JAMES, PETER AND JOHN. HOWEVER,
THESE SAME APOSTLES, LIKE PAUL, GIVE AMPLE

WARNING AND EXAMPLES OF CHRISTIANS BEARING
THE LIKES OF “ENVY, STRIFE AND DIVISION.”

ALL THREE OF THESE EPISTLES MAKE AN ONGOING
APPEAL TO BELIEVERS TO GROW UP IN CHRIST.