Article - The Christian Hope
Nothing is worse for a person than to be without hope in this life and eternity. The Apostle Paul reminds us of the hope Christians have when he says we are living “in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began” (Titus 1:2). Paul states that it is this hope that saves us (keeps us motivated to stay saved) (Romans 8:24). While the Christian hope should be at the essence and center of the Christian life, exactly what is this hope?
The Christian hope is the hope of Heaven. Those who have been saved by the grace of God have become “heirs of the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7). We are motivated to greater faithfulness because of the hope which is laid up for us in Heaven (Colossians 1:5). Paul reminds us of the great hope we have when he says, “For we were saved in this hope , but hope that is seen is not hope ; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance” (Romans 8:24-25). Truly, without the hope of Heaven Christians would have nothing to look forward to after this life!
The Christian hope is the resurrection. Paul makes the point very clearly when he states, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Corinthians 15:19). If they only hope you and I had was right here in this old sinful world, how horrible life would be! However, the Christians hope goes beyond this world. Peter eloquently states the Christian hope saying, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). Death is not the end for the Christian. Paul said it so well to the Thessalonians. “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). If it were not for the resurrection, what would life be like? Just imagine if all we had to hope for was dying.
Dear friend, if you are living without hope right now, ask yourself what meaning your life has? In all honesty, it has no real meaning or purpose beyond this life. This is what separates Christianity from all other ways of life. The Christian life is the only way one can have hope of eternal bliss after this life! We would love to help you learn more about the Christian hope and how to receive it. May God help each of us to live a life full of hope!
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