When it comes to Faith and Hope, the person acts (DO) on something BEFORE the event occurs.
We could see this as giving (actions) BEFORE enjoying the benefit (of the future event).
Remember, Salvation is dependent on grace and faith. This means we give BEFORE enjoying the benefit of Salvation.
Paul wrote in Philippians 2:
"12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
Paul wrote in Philippians 3:
"12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."
Notice, Hope and Faith cause the believer to continue growing.
The PROOF that we are saved is we love others. John wrote in I John 4:
"7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
Hope/Faith leads to Salvation which is proven in Love.
On the other hand, Expectations are the OPPOSITE of Hope and Faith.
Expectations occur when someone enjoys the benefit BEFORE they have given. The person considers the future action to have occurred and they begin to enjoy the benefit.
Expectations give the person a reason to stop growing.
Now we see this is the "Once Saved, Always Saved" mentality. People want the benefit of being saved NOW...they want to not have to continue growing in God.
Love is giving WITHOUT EXPECTING...
Expectations are not love. In fact, EVERYTIME someone gets angry, it is because their expectations were not met.
Expectations prevent Salvation and the proof is people get angry...and do not love. Eventually, this will become Abuse.
Let's look at an example...
Let's say you were going to meet your date for dinner at a specific restaurant at 6 PM. If you were to arrive early and be seated, you would either act in Hope/Faith or Expectation.
If you "hoped", you would have gotten the table because you believed your date would show up. However, you wouldn't begin enjoying the benefits of having the table until your date arrived. If your date failed to show, you would give up the table and be disappointed, but that is all.
If your date showed up, you would enjoy the benefit of your hope in their presence. You would be excited to see them and begin ordering.
Notice, the worse that can happen with Hope is it isn't fulfilled and the best is the benefit. There is no loss. This is simply the equalling out of Justice.
If you "expected", you would begin ordering. You would enjoy the benefit of meeting them BEFORE your date arrived. You would be enjoying the benefit in their ABSENCE. If the date shows, there is no difference.
If your date failed to show up, you would have to pay for the benefit without having gotten the benefit...which would make you angry.
Notice, the best that can happen is the Expectation is fulfilled and the worst is that you have to pay without receiving the benefit. This is simply the equalling out of Justice.
Let's look at this relative to dating/marriage...
If you date or marry with Faith, without expectations, then everything is a benefit that is always enjoyed in the presence of the one you love. Your brain files away great moments WITH the one you love.
The energy this couple experiences can grow eternally.
If you date or marry with Expectations, then the only benefit you experience is by yourself. Your brain files away the great moments separate from the one you love. However, everytime your expectations aren't met, you get angry at the one you love...and you confront them. Now, your brain files away the angry moments WITH the one you love. The only thing this person can really do is disappoint you.
The best this couple can expect is to maintain the energy they have, however, we know it will eventually lessen and become Unprofitable.
The same can be said for other areas...
HEALING: Jesus repeatedly stated the individual's faith is what healed them. The person gave BEFORE he got the benefit of healing.
SALVATION: We ought to continually give God our lives and kill our flesh...we can enjoy the benfit later. However, Calvinists would say to act like you are saved and enjoy the benefit now of being saved by not thinking.
CANCER: Some Calvinists handle cancer by saying God is the cause and the cancer patient ought to act like they are healed and rejoice in the suffering...to not "waste" their cancer! Others will say to rejoice in the causeless suffering.
Taking in everything we have learned, here's HOW/WHY a Christian would handle suffering:
1. I AM THE CAUSE - Be contrastive. Determine if you have caused your own suffering. If you have, confess and repent. Take actions that will limit your suffering and the suffering of others.
2. I AM NOT THE CAUSE AND I DON'T KNOW THE CAUSE - Use causality. Your suffering is a cause. If you handle it well, then you are due a Reward.
3. I AM NOT THE CAUSE AND I KNOW WHO (believer) IS THE CAUSE - Use non-contradiction. If the person is a believer, confront them (Matthew 18, Luke 17). Resolve the apparent contradiction between their Unaware Brain and conscious brain. Give them the opportunity to repent. If they do, forgive. If they don't, intentionally chose to act as "mercy" towards them. If they don't hear you, involve others.
4. I AM NOT THE CAUSE AND I KNOW WHO (unbeliever) IS THE CAUSE - Use growth. If the person is an unbeliever, REJOICE. This goes beyond forgiving. Forgiving gives you a Reward (#2). Not only are you getting a Reward, but you are PROVING you are at the highest level of Christian maturity.
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