The Threefold Life: Faith, Liberty, and Charity
In our pursuit of a vibrant spiritual life, it’s tempting to focus on just one aspect—perhaps preaching God’s word, standing against tyranny, or serving others through charity. Yet, the true life of faith, the life of someone who knows God and seeks first His kingdom, revolves around three powerful dynamics: faith, liberty, and charity. These three, like a threefold cord, are not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Together, they form the essence of the Threefold Life—a dynamic way to advance God’s kingdom on Earth by spreading His truth within our circles of influence, advocating for liberty, and transforming lives through acts of love.
Faith: The Anchor of Trust
Faith is more than belief; it’s an active trust in God and His promises. As Hebrews 11:1 declares, it is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is the foundation that drives us to step out boldly, knowing God is faithful. It’s the starting point for a life aligned with His kingdom.
Liberty: The Freedom to Thrive
Liberty, in a spiritual sense, is the freedom Christ secured for us—freedom from sin, oppression, and legalism. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). This freedom isn’t just personal; it extends outward, compelling us to advance the cause of liberty for others, breaking chains of injustice and tyranny in our world.
Charity: Love Made Tangible
Charity is love in action, the outward expression of God’s heart. It’s not enough to feel compassion; we must act on it. As James 2:17 reminds us, “faith without works is dead.” Charity transforms lives—ours and others’—through selfless giving, kindness, and service, reflecting the greatest virtue of all (1 Corinthians 13:13).
A Threefold Core Not Easily Broken
Faith, liberty, and charity are not standalone virtues; they agree in one, creating a unified strength. Faith fuels our pursuit of liberty, giving us courage to break free and help others do the same. Liberty provides the space to practice charity without hindrance, allowing love to flow freely. Charity, in turn, proves our faith and reinforces liberty, showing the world what God’s kingdom looks like. When these three intertwine, they form a resilient core, a threefold cord that holds strong against any challenge.
Without faith, liberty lacks purpose, and charity loses its eternal significance. Without liberty, faith and charity are stifled, unable to reach their full potential. Without charity, faith becomes hollow, and liberty turns selfish. Together, they are the essence of the Threefold Life—a life that advances God’s kingdom by spreading His truth to people known and unknown, championing freedom, and touching lives through love.
Biblical Witnesses to the Threefold Core
The Bible is rich with examples of this threefold dynamic in action. Here are two powerful illustrations:
The Early Church (Acts 2:42–47): After Pentecost, the believers lived out an extraordinary faith in the risen Christ. This faith birthed a new liberty—freedom from societal divisions and the constraints of the old covenant. Their charity was radical: they sold possessions, shared everything, and cared for the needy among them. The result? God’s kingdom grew as “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
The Apostle Paul: Paul’s life embodied the Threefold Life. His faith was unshakable, sustaining him through shipwrecks, imprisonments, and persecution. He fiercely advanced liberty, declaring to the Galatians, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1), and fought against legalism that bound new believers. His charity shone through in his tireless efforts to collect offerings for the poor in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:1–4), ensuring the needy were supported across regions.
Living the Threefold Life Today
The Threefold Life isn’t a relic of the past—it’s a call for us now. Through faith, we trust God to work in and through us. Through liberty, we break free from sin and advocate for justice in our circles of influence. Through charity, we transform lives with tangible acts of love, whether to those we know or strangers God places in our path. This is how we advance His kingdom: not by preaching alone, not by activism alone, not by charity alone, but by weaving these three into a powerful, unbreakable core.
