Hope refers to a feeling of expectation for something to happen. Hope leans on trust or belief.
What is our hope as Christians?
Is our hope to see all our enemies killed
Is our hope to see all our problems and challenges over?
Is our hope to be a billionaire or millionaire?
Is our hope to have houses and cars?
Is our hope to marry and have children?
Jesus did not go to the cross to face such shame, humiliation, pain, and death for all these.
1 Corinthians 15:19 Amp.
If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hope only in this life and that is all, then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.
Our hope as Christians is beyond these, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are most significant for us. It is the object of our faith.
Our hope:
1. Hope of a new life in Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:4-5 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
It is the hope of transformation, regeneration, and re-born. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
2. Hope of empowerment by the Holy Spirit.
Act 1:6-8 6. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7. And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
3. Hope of reigning with Christ in eternity.
1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years.
With this hope, we obtain victory over death.
1 Corinthians 15:52-57
52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
54. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
This is the hope that the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus brings for all Christians let us therefore be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58.
Comments