TERMS OF SALVATION – HOPE
HOPE is the forward look of faith. FAITH is “the evidence of things not seen
(past, present or future). It is also “the substance of things hoped for…”
(Heb. 11:1). Hope eagerly anticipates a future prospect. Hope denies a
philosophy that says reality is only the here-and-now. There is not an
afterlife. All we have is what we have presently. (Therefore, live it up. You
only go around once!) But the Scriptures declare stridently that “surely there
is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off” (Proverbs 23:18). The
salvation given by God’s grace and rooted in the death, burial and resurrection
of Jesus Christ abounds in hope. And so, the Apostle Paul prayed for the
Christians at Rome: “Now may the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in
believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans
15:13).
THE PAST ORIGINATION OF HOPE
Unger says “the fountainhead of hope
is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.” And, the Holy Spirit fosters
hope in our breasts.
1 Peter 1:3-5 “Blessed be
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant
mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance
incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for
you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be
revealed in the last time.”
Romans 8:16-18 “The Spirit
itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if
children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that
we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that
the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us.”
THE PRESENT OPERATION OF HOPE
As we walk by faith we are full of
hope. Faith focuses on God, and He cannot fail. Hence, hope! As faith
increases, so does hope. Hope is one of the three main characteristic of the
Christian life.
1 Corinthians 13:13 “And
now abideth faith, hope, charity,
these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
Hope is optimistically imbedded in
the Gospel. Because of what Christ has
unbelievably accomplished for us, will He ever not be able to carry out all He
has promised? “Hope does not
disappoint.”
Romans 5:1-11 “Therefore
being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we
stand, and rejoice in hope of the
glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience,
experience; and experience, hope: 5
And hope maketh not ashamed; because
the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given
unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”
THE FUTURE OPTIMIZATION OF HOPE
Colossians 1:24-29 “Who
now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the
afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is
given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath
been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his
saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this
mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and
teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in
Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his
working, which worketh in me mightily.”
Titus 2:11-14 “For the
grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us
that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and
our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from
all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good
works.”
rdc
