Kent Bailey
Hope springs eternal within humanity. A life without hope is a life not worth living. Individuals who lose hope often die because they no longer have the desire nor the will to live.
The Christian has a glorious hope that anchors the soul when the storms and vicissitudes of life seek to destroy. God is the source of all hope (Rom. 15:13). Hope is an anchor that enters the unseen realm and is grounded by the eternal order. As a ship’s anchor enters the waters; but the region beyond, where hope is fixed is like a place behind the curtain. This place is where God dwells.
As we give consideration to the importance and crucial hope we develop a greater appreciation for such as we ascertain its proper definition. We speak of hope we refer to that of trust or reliance. Hope is more than a strong desire. Hope is a strong desire accompanied by that of expectation or trust and reliance in that of fulfillment. The Hebrews writer expressed such a concept in words that give great assurance to Christians:
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope that is set before us (Heb. 6:17-18).
It is thus the purpose of our study to demonstrate the glorious hope of the faithful child of God.
Hope defined and assured to the faithful child of God. We emphasize and stress the fact that God being immutable cannot change in attributes, character, and /or will. Therefore when God makes certain decrees they are unchangeable. When God makes specific promises they are not subject to change in that such would be a denial of the very essence of God (Heb. 6:18).
God created humanity to be individuals of hope:
I have set the Lord always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh shall rest in hope (Psa. 16:8-9).
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord (Psa. 31:24).
Be not a terror unto me: Thou art my hope in the day of evil (Jer. 17:17).
Upon our understanding that God provided us with the best Heaven had to offer in the gift of His only begotten Son we know that Christ is our only hope.
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things (Rom. 8:32).
The hope of the gospel is “Christ in you the hope of glory” 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 (Col. 1:27).
-
Hope is the basis of the gospel (Eph. 1:18; 4:4)
-
In hope we are saved (Rom. 5:2-4).
-
In hope we do live (Philip. 1:20-28).
-
In hope the faithful Christian dies (Col. 1:5, 23; Rev. 14:13).
Our hope motivates and sustains us “who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope.”
Those who are faithful to Christ live lives that are filled with faith and with hope. Hope gives us great provisions for the future:
-
It provides boldness (1 Pet. 3:15)
-
It anchors us (Heb. 6:18-19).
-
It purifies us (1 John 3:3).
-
It comforts us (Rom. 15:4).
-
It is good (2 Thess. 2:16).
-
It is blessed (Titus 2:13).
-
It is living (1 Pet. 1:3).
-
It is better (Heb. 7:9).
-
It completes the armor God has provided to fight the good fight of the faith (Eph. 6:17).
Christians must never lose hope. The case being that hope is trust or reliance means that hope is that of faith. When a Christian loses hope a Christian loses faith. When a Christian loses faith they are without God and exist within a backslidden, lost condition out of fellowship with God, His Son, and all faithful children of God. As one grows in faith one grows in hope, trust and reliance. Hope will indeed anchor during the turbulent and perilous times of our lives and the greatness of such shall be realized in eternity.
