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(Blue entries in the meditation are links; clicking on them will take you to the verse(s) in the New International Version; clicking on the other versions on that page will show the same verses in the selected version. Occasionally links are to another file of mine. On this page entries in green are the words of Scripture (NIV). If you wish to pursue your own study on issues raised try this link: The Online Study Library. )
Jan. 1999
The bible tells believers what to do:
"In your hearts
set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope
that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
(1 Peter 3:15) The apostle
Paul says to believers: "Brothers,
we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep,
or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope." (1
Thessalonians 4:13) When standing before
a non-Christian king the apostle Paul explained his position as
a prisoner in these words: "And
now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our
fathers that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve
tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve
God day and night. O King, it is because of this hope that
the Jews are accusing me." (Acts 26:6) In the book of Hebrews believers are told: "God did this so that, by two
unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,
we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us
may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor
for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind
the curtain" (Hebrews 6:18)
The Bible speaks about hope a great deal.
Is the hope that the citizens of this world
magnify the same as the hope that is core of the Christian message
as referred to in the preceding paragraph? Today we hear a lot
of talk about hope--"giving people hope"; "he has
no hope"; "he needs to have hope," "he is
in despair." Mr. X "hopes" he will win the election."
But are the two "hopes" the same? Are they both pointing
people in the same direction? Is the world's hope the Christian
hope? If not, how does the Christian Hope differ? Hopefully, this
meditation will bring forth enough statements of God that point
to the character of the Christian Hope and show how the "hope"
that the citizens of this world exalt actually obscures and denies
the Christian message.
Before getting into the Christian hope itself
a help to readers should be emphasized. It is not the purpose
or intent of this meditation to put forth the idea or leave the
impression that whenever the word 'hope' appears in the bible
it refers the Christian Hope, that is, to the goal of salvation
or the destiny God purposed for his people. Far from it. Many
times the word 'hope' is used when the Christian Hope (such as is described in Hebrews 11:16)
is not in view at all. Frequently the word 'hope' is used
in the Bible just as the world often uses the word, namely, as
the name for a particular kind of 'positive' feeling or attitude.
But the fact that the word or concept 'hope' is not used
in the Bible exclusively with reference to that 'hope'
that is at the core of the Christian message does not mean that
there is no such thing as the Christian hope which is the
kernel of the Christian message. Without this hope there is no
message, no gospel, no Christianity. It is with this hope
that this meditation is concerned. And it is this hope that is
obscured and set aside by the 'hope' of the citizens of this world.
The Hope that the citizens of this world
set forth as a great and worthy "quality" to possess
or acquire obscures the Christian Hope by appropriating the term
or concept 'hope'. This obscuring and setting aside of the Christian
Hope occurs in two ways. First, it happens because of the oppositeness
and irreconcilability of the underlying assumptions of the 'hope'
of the world and the Christian Hope. The world's 'hope' must
conform to the world's general outlook of chance, of an undetermined
future--of possibility. The outlook of the world on the future
is in absolute contradiction to the certainty which characterizes
the Christian Hope. And secondly, there is the total contrast
between an attitude of hope that exists in the mind which
is what the world often refers to by the term 'hope' and the
Christian Hope the content of which has an existence outside
the mind the way an inheritance does.
Now let's look at the first common usage of the word or concept
'hope'.
The world uses more than one concept of
hope. There is the usage that refers to a kind of feeling or attitude,
e.g. "a feeling that what is wanted will happen." (This is discussed in Part II of this meditation.)
The usage that is being considered here is what the dictionary
defines as: "a person or thing upon which someone may
base some hope." The idea is that we feel confident that
what we are depending upon (the "object") is able to
get the job done.
The football team has acquired a new reason to be hopeful. They
have a new quarterback. The team has more reason to feel confident
and expect to win. The quarterback is the teams' hope.
The plane you get on. You are hoping that it will have the necessary
qualifications to accomplish what you boarded it for, namely,
getting you safely to your airport destination. The basis of your
hope is not your feeling, your hopeful attitude, your optimism.
When we speak of your 'hope' we are referring to the plane; that
is 'your hope.' That is what is going to get you to your destination
if anything does. In English when we say 'What is your hope' what
we usually mean is 'What are you placing your confidence in.'
Medical research discovers facts on which to build hope. The headlines
say such things as "Cerebral Palsy - Hope Through
Research" or "Novel approach offers hope for
treating severe disorders." The common usage of the term
'hope' refers the the ground or basis for having hope. Our hope
is the new drug or new surgical technique
While this 'hope' of the world is always very specific as is the
Christian Hope there is a profound difference between the 'hopes'.
The difference is so profound that the hope the citizens of this
world have in mind when they use the term 'hope' in effect sets
aside the Christian Hope. How does this happen?
What is the fundamental difference between
the world's 'hope', that is, between what the citizens of this
world pin their hopes on, and the Christian Hope? Possibility
versus certainty. That is the difference. What is the concept
that underlies the world's use of the term or concept 'hope'?
Possibility. That is the key word. When we use the
term "might" as in the phrase "we might
be home for Christmas next year" we are speaking of what
we consider a possibility. It is possible that an event will come
to pass. An event might come to pass or it might not
come to pass. That is a far as the citizens of this world can
go. That is all they can hope for--something that might happen.
Because there is--and can be--no certainty about what the world
hopes for it cannot be counted on, cannot be relied upon, cannot
be trusted. We cannot be certain that the plane will stay up.
We cannot be certain that the elevator can carry the weight. We
cannot be certain that a rescue plane will spot us--we just hope
so. This lack of certainty is an integral ingredient in the world's
'hope'. It is this lack of certainty that necessarily sets
apart the message of 'hope' that the citizens of this world are
giving from the Christian Hope. Possibility and certainty cannot
coexist. Possibility precludes certainty. Possibility always includes
the idea that it might not happen. Possibility 'says' certainty
is impossible. Such a view of the future--that any particular
event is only a possibility is in opposition to the Christian
view. Events like the judgement and salvation are in the future.
Does the Bible teach that these events are only possibilities?
Are the promises and actions of God only things that might
have happened in the past and might happen in the future?
A Good Question. But someone may ask, very correctly, 'Isn't the
word "hope" often used in the Bible to speak of an event
or circumstance that may not ever come to pass? It most
definitely is. In many places in the Bible the term "hope"
is used just this way--as if a particular outcome was only a possibility,
not a certainty. [ For examples see "HOPE"]
Variable Usage. What is the difference between the Christian Hope
which is certain and other things which Christians hope for but
about which they are not certain? Answer: whether God has
revealed his will in the matter.
While God has revealed his will concerning the destiny of believers
(Isa.46.10
John 6:39 Jude 24) regarding many
other matters he has not made his will known. We don't know anybody's
future on earth or in heaven in every detail. God does. But he
hasn't revealed that information to us. Therefore in all matters
about which he has not revealed our destiny we cannot have a guaranteed
hope or guaranteed expectation of a particular state of things
coming into existence. In such circumstances the only fact
believers can be certain of is the fact that whatever happens
is for the good of believers-- Romans 8:28. In such circumstances it may not be wrong to think,
speak and plan in terms of probability or statistics. The use
of the term or concept 'hope' to refer to a positive or optimistic
attitude in such circumstances seems appropriate. (It might
be called the 'probability' usage of the term.)
While the term 'hope' can be used appropriately in such circumstances
that 'hope' is not the 'hope' being referred to when the apostle
Peter tells believers "be
prepared to give... the reason for the hope that you have."
The Christian Hope is not just a possibility.
The Christian Hope concerns matters about which God has revealed
his will. To think that anything that God promises or prophecies
is a "possibility", to think that the Christian Hope
is a possibility is a rejection of God, a rejection of the truth
of what he is--truthful, holy, and almighty. There is nothing
in God's purposes or plan that "might" come to pass.
Either it will or it won't come to pass depending upon God's will
in that matter. There can be no "might"
about it.
Now let's turn to the Christian Hope. It is
certain. Certainty. That is a characteristic
that separates the Christian Hope from the possibilities that
the citizens of this world hope for. Certainty--the indelible
feature of the hope that is the core of the Christian message
Do God's purposes change? No. God's purposes do not change. Because
they don't change they can be relied upon. "Because God wanted to make the
unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of
what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this
so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible
for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered
to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an
anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
(Hebrews 6:17-19) The Bible states very clearly that God's gifts
and his call are not just possibilities. Instead it says "God's gifts and his call are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29)
Can God's teachings be any clearer? Listen to his words--"Can a mother forget the baby at
her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" (Isaiah 49:15) "Remember
these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I have
made you, you are my servant; O Israel, I will not forget you." (Isaiah 44:21) The witness,
the response, that Christians are exhorted to make is based on
the unchanging character and power of our Lord. "Keep your lives free from the love
of money and be content with what you have,"
the author of Hebrews says. Why? The quote continued-- "because God has said, 'Never will
I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence,
'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do
to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5-6)
"'They will be
mine,' says the LORD Almighty, 'in the day when I make up my treasured
possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares
his son who serves him.'" (Malachi 3:17) The psalmist
describes the character of God and its relevance to believers:
"As a father has
compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those
who fear him." (Psalms 103:13)
Jesus expressed this truth this way, saying to his disciples,
"Are not five sparrows
sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't
be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (Luke 12:6-7) And again,
to his disciples Jesus said, " Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father
has been pleased to give you the kingdom."
(Luke 12:32)
God's purposes do not change. They are fixed and certain. Because
they don't change they can be relied upon.
Now let's turn to a few of God's many statements which cover the
same ground but may bring out more clearly the idea that the God
who has these purposes has the power to carry out his intentions.
In human beings as in any creature of God
the presence of a purpose or desire does not mean that that intention
will become a reality in time and space. But in the case of God
the presence of the intention or purpose means just that--that
it will come to pass. If it is God's purpose it will come
to pass. Therefore, sometimes it is impossible for human beings
to separate God's statements of his intentions from his statements
of his power to carry out whatever he purposed. But some verses
may bring out one or the other emphasis more clearly.
Now let's focus on some verses which seem to emphasize God's power
to carry out his purposes.
Does the bible contain any statements that indicate what God's
purposes are and whether God's power is sufficient to make his
purposes irresistible and certain of fulfillment? Yes, it does.
It says, "God is
not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should
change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise
and not fulfil?" (Numbers 23:19) In another place in the Old Testament the truth
about God is set forth in his own words: "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient
times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and
I will do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of
prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfil my purpose. What I
have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that
will I do." (Isaiah 46:10-11;see
also Job 42:2; Psalm 33:11: Isaiah 14:24,27;Daniel 4:35) This truth and its relevance to believers is set
forth in the apostle Paul's letter to the believers at Ephesus.
"In him we were
also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of
him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of
his will." (Ephesians 1:11).
Jesus shows the comforting connection between the purpose/power
of God and the welfare of his people in his declarations to his
disciples: "Are
not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall
to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the
very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid;
you are worth more [to God] than many sparrows."
(Matthew 10:29-31;
a similar passage in Luke has already been quoted) In another familiar passage (where Jesus the 'Good
Shepherd' refers to his people as his sheep) Jesus spoke of God's
power: "My Father,
who has given them to me, is greater than all; no-one can snatch
them out of my Father's hand."
(John 10:29)
How many times in the word of God the theme that the purposes
of God are irresistible and certain of fulfillment is set forth
in one way or another!
The Bible says believers have been given an inheritance. This
is not something that might come to pass; it is a fact
that is guaranteed by the world's Creator. " And you also were included in Christ
when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised
Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance
until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the
praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14) The Bible says believers have "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil
or fade-- kept in heaven for you."
(1 Peter 1:4) It was this belief that undergirded the life of
the apostle Paul-- "Now
there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and
not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8) And again,
"The Lord will
rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me
safely to his heavenly kingdom."
(2 Timothy
4:18)
The apostle Paul describes God's attitude toward, and relationship
to, believers this way: "Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship
or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it
is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are
considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am
convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height
nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39) What is
this but a tremendous proclamation that nothing in creation can
prevent God from carrying out his unchanging purposes?
We have been looking at the certainty which is indicated by the
unchangeableness of God's purposes and the fact that his purposes
will be carried out. Now let's look at how the very meaning of
Christian witness is wrapped up with certainty.
How many times the Bible speaks about trust.
How many times the Bible speaks about the "object" people
have or should have confidence in, can rely upon. What is evangelism
other than witnessing to the wonder and the effectiveness (certainty)
of what the Son of God was sent into the world to accomplish and
did accomplish? And what was that? To save his people from the
power and penalty of their sins and earn for them entitlement
to the inheritance of eternal life with eternal blessings. This
was the inheritance that from the beginning was due to everyone
whose record is spotless. The substitutionary death of the only
sinless one (Jesus the Christ) accomplished this and guaranteed
the inheritance to everyone who is incorporated in Christ by faith.
Witnessing to the guaranteed inheritance, to the Christian Hope,
is showing confidence in a certainty. The world's hope on the
other hand is totally different. The world's hope is that a possible
and (therefore) uncertain and unpredictable future might
turn out the way we want it to. This is a complete rejection of
the Christian message.
Was not one of the reasons that God recorded so much history that
God wanted people to see the certainty of God's actions, to see
how he fulfills his purposes and the promises he has made? When
Moses' successor was close to death he said to the Israelites
who had survived the wilderness wanderings and the conquest of
Canaan: "Now I
am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your
heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD
your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled;
not one has failed." (Joshua 23:14) The apostle Paul tells believers that one of the
functions of the Scriptures was to remind people of God's will
and ability to care for his people. "Everything," the apostle said,
"that was written in the past was written to teach us, so
that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope." (Romans 15:4) [I am reminded of the hymn "Standing on the
Promises"]
Much of Jesus' earthly ministry consisted in the demonstration
of the fact that he was the God-sent-one who had the power to
carry out God's purposes. On at least one occasion when some teachers
of God's law were present and were thinking evil thoughts of Jesus
because Jesus had done what their theology (correctly) said only
God could do, Jesus replied, "Which
is easier: to say to the paralytic, `Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, `Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may
know that the Son of Man has authority [the
power] on earth to forgive
sins...." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get
up, take your mat and go home." (Mark 2:9-11; see
also John 2:9,11) On another occasion
when Jesus was in a violent storm on the Lake of Galilee and his
disciples were afraid they were going to drown, Jesus revealed
his power. To his disciples he said, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?"
Then he turned to the storm "and rebuked the winds and the waves,
and it was completely calm." (Matthew 8:26) The apostle John sums up this truth in a brief
declaration: "Jesus
did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples,
which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that
you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and
that by believing you may have life in his name."
(John 20:30-31)
(Two other meditations which also deal with Jesus' power are "What
Does It Mean To 'See' Jesus" (3/96) and "Was
Christ The Right Man For The Job," (4/97))
Not only does the Bible repeatedly teach that there is no uncertainty
about God's actions it also teaches that the proper (biblical)
response to God--the response of witness, of faithfulness, of
obedience--is based upon this same fact: the certainty of God's
actions. " Let
us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess" the author of Hebrews repeatedly tells us. Why is
that? Answer--" For
he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23) Is this not what the example of Abraham on more
than one occasion teaches us? "By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac
as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to
sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him,
'It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.' Abraham
reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking,
he did receive Isaac back from death." (Hebrews
11:17-19; Genesis 22:9-10; Genesis 17:16-19; 18: 11,14; 21:2) The apostle Paul also points to Abraham's faith
to illustrate the built-in link between the gospel and the certainty
of God's promises. He says of Abraham, "Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact
that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred
years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not
waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened
in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that
God had power to do what he had promised. This is why 'it [his faith] was credited to him as righteousness.'" (Romans 4:19-22)
The apostle Paul lived this faith, lived with this certainty.
He endured much because of it. This is the witness he gave when
he was in prison and believed the end of his earthly service was
about to end: "That
is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I
know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to
guard what I have entrusted to him for that day."
(2 Timothy
1:12)
Christians, that is, believers, should be a witness to the Hope
that is within them saying both in their hearts and outloud: "So we say with confidence,
'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do
to me?'" (Hebrews 13:6)
Or, to use the words of the apostle Paul, "But as surely as God is faithful, our message
to you is not 'Yes' and 'No' .... For no matter how many promises
God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the
'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God."
(2 Corinthians
1:18,20) Could there be a gospel without
certainty in God's actions?
Yet the 'hope' of the world does just that--it denies the fact
(and even the possibility) of certainty. Oh, how the 'hope' about
possibilities, the 'hope' about an unpredictable future that the
citizens of this world hold forth obscures and leads away from
the truth!
Even the warning passages
of Scripture such as
"the cowardly,
the unbelieving,...their place will be in the fiery lake of burning
sulphur. This is the second death" (Revelation
21:8; see
also Galatians 3:10; Ephesians 5:6) point
to the certainty that is an essential property of the Christian
Hope. Is not the function of the warning statements in Scripture
to point to the unquestionable value of trusting in God? By announcing
the certain destiny that awaits those individuals who are
not saved and transformed by the the work of Christ is not the
result to point hearers or readers to the certain and marvelous
result of the sacrificial death of his Son? The warning passages
communicate the message that trusting anything other than the
certainty of the Christian Hope will be 'fatal', worse than fatal--for
eternity.
The Bible speaks of people "who have no hope."
(1
Thessalonians 4:13)
When the Bible speaks
of such people it is not speaking of people who lack a hopeful
attitude but of people who have no basis, no specific reason,
for having hope. It is speaking of people who because they are
not relying on the "blood of Jesus" are destined to
experience the unfavorable judgment of God (Acts
4:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)
(Galatians
3:22; Ephesians 2:3)
(Romans
9:15-16,22; 1 Peter 2.6-8)The
Bible teaches over and over again that nobody can have a basis
for hope outside of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God come in the
flesh. In the words of the apostle Peter--"Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is
no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) The apostle John expressed
the truth in these words: "Whoever
believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the
Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:36; see also John
14:6)
There are no uncertainties
about the warnings. The consequences of unbelief--an absence of
trust in the only thing that can save--are not possibilities.
They are not uncertainties anymore than the consequences of stepping
out of a window on the 50th floor is an uncertainty. The horrible consequences of not trusting in the
adequacy of Christ's righteous life and sacrificial death to pay
for the sins of believers are just as certain as the desirable
consequences of placing one's hope in him are. Even to people who think they are believers the
author of Hebrews describes the certain destiny of unbelievers:
"If we deliberately
keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth,
no sacrifice for sins is left, [that
is, no basis for hope] but
only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that
will consume the enemies of God."
(Hebrews 10:26-27;
see
also Mat. 10.28)
The hope of the citizens of this world is so different, so flimsy.
The words so often used to refer to it indicate its lack of certainty,
its lack of solidity.--a "glimmer of hope," a "ray
of hope," "faint hope," "wishful thinking"
etc., etc. While the degree of the faith in the heart of any one
Christian may on occasion be punctuated with the sin of doubt
the message of Christianity is not. The message is sure. What
the Bible says is not a witness to possibilities or to what might
come to pass but to certainty, to the Christian Hope. The Bible
speaks about God and faith. It says, "if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for
he cannot disown himself." (2 Timothy 2:13)
What is the Christian
message all about? About whose world this is (God's) and how to
avoid paying with our lives for our sins against God. (Romans
6:23) What is evangelism other than witnessing
to the wonder and the effectiveness of what God did about the
"problem"? What is evangelism other than witnessing
to the wonder and the effectiveness of what the Son of God was
sent into the world to accomplish? And what was that? To save
his people from the power and penalty of their sins and earn for
them entitlement to the inheritance of eternal life with eternal
blessings that is due to everyone whose record is spotless. The
substitutionary death of the only sinless one (Jesus the
Christ) who ever lived accomplished this and guaranteed the inheritance
to everyone who is entitled to the inheritance of eternal life.
(Galatians
3:22) Witnessing
to the guaranteed inheritance, to the Christian Hope, is
showing confidence in a certainty. The hope of the citizens of
this world--that an unpredictable future might turn out
the way we want it to--is a complete rejection of the Christian
message even if it doesn't mention Christianity.
The Hope that the citizens of this world set forth as a great
and worthy "quality" to possess or acquire obscures
the Christian Hope by appropriating the term or concept 'hope'.
This obscuring and setting aside of the Christian Hope occurs
in two ways. In Part I we looked at the first way where the idea
of possibility that underlies the 'hope' of the world conflicts
with idea of certainty which characterizes the Christian Hope.
In this part of the meditation the contrast is between that common
idea of the citizens of this world that 'hope' is an attitude
that exists in the mind and the Christian Hope the content
of which has an existence outside the mind the way an inheritance
does.
Now let's look at another common usage of the word or concept
'hope'.
"Hope" is A feeling . Another of the meanings
the dictionary gives for the word 'hope' is "a feeling that
what is wanted will happen." Countless examples might be
given such as "hoping for an early recovery from the illness"
; "hoping the new law will have the effect of reducing crime"
; "hoping the new interest rate will result in an increase
in business investment" ; "hoping that the storm will
change course and miss us."
What is desire? It is a feeling, an urge. It is something we experience
in the present. Expectation with desire. The act of looking forward
to something with anticipation. For instance, "I hope I will
pass the test" "I hope I won't have to go to the dentist
next year." Both the Democrats and the Republicans are hoping
they will win seats in the next election." In each of the
cases the "hope" refers to a feeling or attitude about
a future event, an event that might be, an event that might
come to pass. This very common use of the term "hope"
to point to an experience is a perfectly correct way to
use the word or concept. It is this experience or a mental phenomenon
that the citizens of this world are so often talking about when
they speak of "hope."
Not only is this 'hope' an attitude or feeling, not only
is this 'hope' an internal phenomenon but this kind of hope is
also a very good thing to have. That this is so we are constantly
being told by the media. We are being told by the media that we
should be optimists and that we should have good feelings about
the future or ourselves. So often we hear people telling us about
the benefits of having "hope." It is a good experience
or attitude to have. It is a pleasant or desirable attitude to
have. It is something which is healthy to have like high "self
esteem." An eminent American cardiologist noted that "hope
is the medicine I use more than any other. Hope can cure nearly
anything." Who has not heard or seen such headlines as "Cerebral
Palsy - Hope Through Research" or "A Novel approach
offers hope for treating severe disorders." "Don't
give up hope," the world says.
As the saying goes, "Hope springs eternal in the human breast"
The hope of the world is often something that arises from within.
Hope has been described as "a species of happiness, and,
perhaps, the chief happiness which this world affords."Hope
is a good thing to have. Dr. Victor Frankl,
an Austrian psychiatrist as well as a former prisoner in Nazi
Germany, observed that "a prisoner in the concentration camps
did not continue to live very long after hope was lost. But even
the slightest ray of hope -- the rumor of better food, a whisper
about an escape -- helped some of the camp inmates to continue
living even under systematic horror." (return)
What this quote reveals so well is the view that hope is good
thing or a positive value whether that hope, that hopeful attitude,
is based on truth or not.
Compare this attitude of 'hope' with the Christian Hope, that hope or objective that is the kernel of the Christian message.
The Christian Hope. There are different ways of gathering the
teachings of the Bible to make the meaning clearer. In this meditation
three of the multitude of terms the Bible uses when speaking of
the Christian Hope --1)Inheritance, 2)God's promises, 3)God's
calling-- are used. A fourth category under which God's teachings
are gathered is "The "Believer's Secure Position in
God's Favor".
How often the definite hope that lies at the core of Christianity
is referred to! It is not mentioned just occasionally or incidentally.
The 'hope' is explicitly set forth or referred to in almost
every book in the New Testament. (See "Sequential List")Furthermore, where there is no explicit
reference to the hope its existence is assumed. The Christian
Hope is like the "thread" that holds the tapestry together
whether it is visible or not. What each of the different expressions
point to is not an attitude, is not an optimistic view of life,
but a very definite and specific object that exists outside the
mind--the Christian Hope.
However, the fact that many terms or descriptive labels are used
in the Bible as names for the Christian Hope does not mean that
those labels or descriptions are used exclusively to refer
to the Christian Hope. There is nothing sacred about these terms
or labels. Each of these words is also used in the Bible as the
word is used in everyday language. The subject of this section
of the meditation is not the way common terms are used. The subject
is how the definiteness of the Christian Hope is revealed by the
labels or descriptions which are used over and over again to point
to something that exists outside the mind because the God of the
Bible created it. " As
it is written: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has
conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9;see
also Isaiah 64:4)
What has God's saving acts accomplished for his people? Christ's
death on the Cross was designed to bring about a particular result.
That result was not to fill his people with a new attitude of
hope but to obtain for his people--believers--title to an inheritance.
This result was not a fluke or chance result. By Christ's sacrificial
death God has made such people his heirs. The Bible tells us,
He "has qualified
you [believers] to
share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light." (Colossians 1:12)
It is God who did it:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and
into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-- kept
in heaven for you."
(1 Peter 1:3-4;
See
also Romans 8:17; Titus 3:5-7) The
inheritance is not an attitude (optimistic or otherwise) which
anybody might have now. Rather it is something specific in the
future which is being 'kept in heaven for you.' That believers
might know more of what that inheritance consists of is
what the apostle Paul prayed for. "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened
in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,
the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints." (Ephesians 1:18)
In Jesus' parable of
the last judgment when all the peoples of the world are gathered
and the king has put some of them on his left and others on his
right the same point about the objective existence of what believers
have to look forward to is made: "Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come,
you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom
prepared for you since the creation of the world." (Matthew 25:34) Jesus told his disciples, "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or
sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake
will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal
life." (Matthew 19:29) [ Who else could do anything for Christ's sake
and receive the gift of eternal life except believers?] This
is the Christian Hope. It is not just an attitude of hope. It
is not a feeling generated from within. The inheritance is not
something within but something without like a bank account or
lottery ticket.
In another parable that Jesus told he indicated how distinct the
'inheritance' was from a 'hopeful' attitude. A landowner had rented
out his vineyard. Subsequently the landowner made repeated attempts
to collect the fruit the vineyard produced by sending his servants
for it and eventually sent his son. "When the tenants saw the son, they said to each
other, `This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take his inheritance.'" (Matthew 21:38) Were
the tenants trying to steal a feeling or attitude of hope? Hardly.
They were trying to get possession of something very specific
that only the heir had title to--a future inheritance.
The New Testament commentary on an incident recorded in the Old
Testament (Genesis
25:29-34) shows
that the attitude towards the future, towards the inheritance,
is something entirely distinct from the inheritance itself. On
the occasion referred to, a man whose name was Esau showed his
attitude towards his inheritance by selling his title to it and
then on a subsequent occasion pleading to get the title back.
The New Testament commentary says this to believers: "See that no-one is sexually immoral,
or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance
rights as the oldest son. Afterwards, as you know, when he
wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected....though he
sought the blessing with tears."
(Hebrews 12:16-17). A human heir can sell his inheritance but who sell
an attitude?
Another way the Christian Hope or inheritance can be understood
is by looking at those verses which speak of God's promise(s).
The thread of God's promises even goes back beyond time to Christ
himself.
How great is what is promised! How extensive are the "riches"
of the inheritance that the apostle spoke of! (Ephesians
1:3,18) The inheritance,
what God promised, is often spoken of as 'eternal life. This phrase
'eternal life' means more than unending life. If it is a blessed
condition to be in it must mean unending life under particular,
favorable conditions. In the last book of the Bible at least part
of the meaning of the promise of eternal life is explained: "He will wipe every tear from their
eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
In Acts we read the
apostle Peter's declaration about Jesus: " He must
remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything,
as he promised long ago through his holy prophets." (Acts 3:21)
In the New Testament
we read this awesome description of the Son of God laid down his
life for his people--
"but in these last
days he [God] has
spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things,
and through whom he made the universe." (Hebrews 1:2)
The promise of God is
enormous; it began before time. It began with the Father's promise
to Christ: "Ask of me, and I will make
the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession." (Psalms 2:8; see also Galatians
3:16) Similar
language was used in the promise made to Abraham-- "... the promise
that he would be heir of the world." (Romans 4:13) Perhaps there is no greater statement
of the extent of the believer's inheritance than the apostle Paul's
words to the believers at Corinth: "So
then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether
Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the
present or the future--all are yours, and you are of Christ, and
Christ is of God."
(1 Corinthians
3:21-23) Speaking of the believers' destiny
the apostle Peter said: "The
day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear
with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth
and everything in it will be laid bare. ...But in keeping with
his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new
earth, the home of righteousness."
(2 Peter 3:10,13)
How different is the
Christian Hope from the 'hope' of the world. How puny is that
hope which is but a positive attitude regarding an indefinite
destiny! How specific and definite is the destiny of Christians.
How specific and definite is their hope. " We tell
you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has
fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is
written in the second Psalm: "`You are my Son; today I have
become your Father.'"
(Acts 13:32-33) "The promises were spoken to Abraham and to
his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds",
meaning many people, but "and to your seed", meaning
one person, who is Christ."
(Galatians
3:16) "For
no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes"
in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by
us to the glory of God."
(2 Corinthians
1:20) "And this is what he promised us--even
eternal life."
(1 John 2:25) "For
I," the apostle
Paul, " tell you
that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's
truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs [Abraham,Isaac & Jacob]"
(Romans 15:8) "For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new
covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised
eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set
them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." (Hebrews
9:15) "Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus
Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth
that leads to godliness--a faith and knowledge resting on the
hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised
before the beginning of time."
(Titus 1:1-2)
Who is entitled to an
inheritance? Heirs, of course. And this is what believers are.
Heirs. That is what the Bible says. "And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant
God made with your fathers."
(Acts 3:25)
"If you belong
to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to
the promise." (Galatians 3:29) There
was a time in history when certain people were not included in
God's inheritance and the apostle Paul reminded believers of the
contrast, saying, "
remember that at that
time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship
in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise,
without hope and without God in the world." (Ephesians 2:12) Now
we are heirs of God. "Now
if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs
with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that
we may also share in his glory."
(Romans 8:17) "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles
are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body,
and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians
3:6)
What an amazing thought
it is to think we who believe are united with Jesus Christ, the
" heir of all things "! (Romans
6:5; 8:11; Ephesians 2:5-6)
How objective and substantial
is this inheritance that believers have title to! How the content
of God's promises have an existence of their own! How solid is
the Christian Hope!
Perhaps another way of describing the Christian Hope is to think
of the position or the destiny of believers in the God of the
Bible.
The believer's position is a fact as much as the earth being round
or that people walk while birds fly is a fact. The creation of
the believer's position began in the past and it extends into
the future. What happened in the past was definite and certain.
What the outcome will be in the future is equally definite and
certain. Who doubts that an acorn if grows up will grow up into
an Oak tree rather than another kind of tree? Who doubts that
a human baby will grow into an adult human being instead of into
a turkey? But what God does is so much more certain than that;
his acts and their effects are absolutely certain!
The believer's position in the order of things ("a citizen
of heaven") is a fact that is known. It is known because
God spoke of it. To be in God's permanent favor and protection
because he put us there (Ephesians
2:4-6; 1 Peter 2:10) ( Romans
9:15-16,18; John 5:21)
--what could be a greater
thought to bask in? What greater hope, what greater source of
rejoicing and comfort could there be? Having been placed in this
position of safety, in God's permanent favor, is so much more
than just a 'positive' attitude. It is so much more than an optimistic
outlook towards an unknown and unknowable destiny that might
come to pass.
The Bible says, "For
he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy
and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted
as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure
and will--to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely
given us in the One he loves ."
(Ephesians
1:4) Over and over again this truth appears in different
expressions in the tapestry of Scripture! " For you
are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has
chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to
be his people, his treasured possession." (Deuteronomy 7:6)
Jesus said to his disciples,
"Are not two sparrows
sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground
apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of
your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth
more [to God] than
many sparrows."
(Matthew 10:29-31) In
another place we hear these words: "But now, this is what the LORD says--he who created
you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have
redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine'." (Isaiah 43:1) "They
will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when
I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as
in compassion a man spares his son who serves him." (Malachi 3:17)
After the Lord brought
his people through the waters of the Red Sea they sang this song
about God and his people: "In
your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling." (Exodus 15:13) In the
New Testament the apostle Paul expressed this truth in these words:
"The Lord will
rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his
heavenly kingdom."
(2 Timothy
4:18) And again, "Now
there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not
only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8) Jesus
declares those comforting words--God's purpose for his people:
"Do not be afraid,
little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the
kingdom." (Luke 12:32)
Jesus described the
degree of safety of his people's position: " My
Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no-one
can snatch them out of my Father's hand!" (John
10:29) The apostle Peter gave thanks to
the Father for what he had done for believers, saying, "Praise be to the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new
birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish,
spoil or fade-- kept in heaven for you, who through
faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the
salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5)
In the apostle Paul's
letter (epistle) to the believers in Rome he puts the thought
this way--"If God
is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own
Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with
him, graciously give us all things? ....Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship
or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it
is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are
considered as sheep to be slaughtered.'" And then answers the question, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death
nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the
future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything
else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love
of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:31-32,35-39)
What is going to protect
the Christian or bring him or her into the kingdom of God or the
new heaven and the new earth? A "healthy, hopeful" attitude?
Not according to the Bible. What is powerful enough to accomplish
this? The power of God. "In
keeping with his [God's]
promise," Peter reminds believers, "we are looking forward to a new
heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." (2 Peter 3:13) The apostle Paul speaks of the permanently safe
position of believers when he says, " God's
gifts and his call are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29)
In the book of Psalms
we hear these words: "The
LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favour and honour;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless
(that is, from those
incorporated into Christ and hence whose record of sins has been
overwritten by Christ's record of perfect obedience)" (Psalms 84:11)
The safe position upon
which believers can count was determined in eternity past and
will last forever. "For
those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the
likeness of his Son, that he [Jesus
Christ] might be the
firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also
called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified,
he also glorified."
(Romans 8:29-30) "For no matter how many promises God has made, they
are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen"
is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both
us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal
of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit,
guaranteeing what is to come."
(2 Corinthians
1:20-22)
Another way the Bible speaks of the Christian Hope, of the inheritance,
of the safe position of believers is by the term the 'call' or
the 'calling.' The author of Hebrews addresses this exhortation
to a special people: "Therefore,
holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling,
fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we
confess." (Hebrews 3:1 ) The apostle Paul does the same
thing--he addresses the recipients of the call: "And you also are among those who
are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are
loved by God and called to be saints: Grace
and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:6-7) The
apostle Peter does the same thing, saying, "The
promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for
all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:39)
The Bible says, "We know that in all things
God works for the good of"
particular people. What particular people are they who are in
his favor? The quote continues--"those who love him, who have been called
according to his purpose."
(Romans 8:28) The
apostle Paul addresses a young convert of his. "Fight the good fight of the faith.
Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called
when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12) This
expression appears over and over again. "With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that
our God may count you worthy of his calling, and
that by his power he may fulfil every good purpose of yours and
every act prompted by your faith."
(2 Thessalonians
1:11)
Perhaps an illustration of the calling of God might be your appointment
by your boss to another position in the government, the company
or school. Only God's call is infinitely more effective (self-executing).
Also God's calling is irrevocable and permanent. The same effective
action of God is described in apostle Peter's repeated announcement
to believers: "But
you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
(1 Peter 2:9) Though the word "call" is not used in
the following verse there is an equivalent declaration of what
God's power accomplishes in the apostle Paul's letter to the believers
at Colossae. "For
he [God] has
rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the
kingdom of the Son he loves."
(Colossians
1:13)
The word "call"
brings to mind the act of speaking. But here we are dealing with
the "speaking" of God. And that is totally different.
As used here the call is not a suggestion such as 'come
if you want'. God's call has the power of God's uttered word.
"And God said,
'Let there be light,' and there was light." (Genesis 1:3) Psalms 33, verse 9 sums it
up: "For he [God] spoke,
and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm." The God in whom Abraham believed
is described as "the
God who gives life to the dead and calls things
that are not as though they were."
(Romans 4:17) The
fact that was so awesome about Jesus' ministry was that by merely
speaking Jesus accomplished "miracles", miracles such
as the curing of the paralytic or calming of storms. (See
Mark 2:9-10; Luke 8:23-24) The
sovereign word of God is effective not only in relation to "nature"
but in all matters including salvation--the deliverance of his
people from the penalty and power of sin and the positive results
thereof--earning for them the inheritance of eternal life with
eternal blessings. (Matthew
9:6; Mark 1:27)
"Therefore, my
brothers," we are
told in the Bible, " be
all the more eager to make your calling and election sure.
For if you do these things, you will never fall" (2 Peter 1:10) Or,
to use the words of the apostle Paul about himself: "I press on towards the goal to win
the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ
Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)
The calling of God does
not consist of a positive attitude or optimistic outlook --toward
an undetermined and unknown future. The calling of God is very
definite and known: "God's
gifts and his call are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29)
"There is one body
and one Spirit -- just as you were called to one hope
when you were called." (Ephesians 4:4) The apostle's words in the 3rd
chapter of Ephesians have been quoted several times-- "I pray also that the eyes of your
heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to
which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance
in the saints,"
(Ephesians
1:18)
The Christian Hope is
called many things in addition to being the inheritance, the promises,
the calling, the secure position in God's favor. Terms such as
"salvation," "crown," "prize," "eternal
life," "kingdom," "confidence," "hope,"
"reward" are also used very frequently. If all the occurrences
of the different terms or labels which point to the kernel of
the Christian message are taken into account it is hard to find
a book of the NT where the specific Christian Hope is not explicitly
referred to. (See "Sequential
List")And where the Christian Hope is
not explicitly referred to its reality is assumed. A review of
each of those terms brings out the same contrast between
the definiteness and objective content of the Christian Hope and
the 'hope' of the world as has already been described. Each of
the terms points to the character of Christian Hope (what the
believer is looking forward to) as being something that exists
outside the believer just as the sun does. (See Other Terms)
The Bible does not say that the trait that should characterize
believers is a 'positive attitude' but is a belief, a belief in,
or a reliance upon, what God has done and declared. "By faith Abraham, even though he
was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become
a father because he considered him [God]
faithful who had made
the promise." (Hebrews 11:11) The
apostle Paul also speaking of Abraham said, "Yet he did not waver through unbelief
regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith
and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power
to do what he had promised."
(Romans 4:20) How
many times the psalmist witnessed to the hope that was in him:
"He [God] alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress,
I shall not be shaken. My salvation and my honour depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge."
(Psalms 62:6-7) And
again, " You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word."
(Psalms 119:14) The
apostle Paul lived this faith, lived with this certainty. He endured
much because of it. These are his words: "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not
ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced
that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that
day." (2 Timothy 1:12)
The author of Hebrews
does not say to believers, 'keep your chin up' or 'cling to any
ray of hope' but instead says, " Let us
hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised
is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23)
Believers are told to
rejoice not because they possess a 'hopeful attitude' but because
they have title to an enormous inheritance. They have been made
heirs. "Since we have these promises, dear
friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates
body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." (2 Corinthians 7:1) The
author of Hebrews exhorts believers with these words: "You need to persevere so that when
you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (Hebrews 10:36) "We
do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through
faith and patience inherit what has been promised."
(Hebrews 6:12) The
apostle Paul declared, "Now
there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not
only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8; See
also James 1:12)
Because of God's acts,
because of God's promises, because of God's inheritance, because
of the Christian Hope, believers are told: "Therefore, prepare your minds for
action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to
be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:13)
The Bible says God chose
us. The Bible says Christ died to redeem us and to purify us.
The Bible tells us that "by
one sacrifice he has made perfect for ever those who are
being made holy."
(Hebrews 10:14) The
Bible says we (who believe) are citizens of heaven and are under
God's protection. These are all completed actions by God. It is
these facts that are denied by the world's 'hope' which 'says'
the future is unknown and unknowable and undetermined--as if the
God of the Bible had neither the purpose nor the power to care
for his own people. The 'hope' that the citizens of this world
put on a pedestal 'says' the certainty of the Christian Hope is
an impossibility.
When the apostle Peter exhorts
believers with these words-- "In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always
be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give
the reason for the hope that you have" (1
Peter 3:15) the "hope"
that individuals who are believers do have is a part a God's truth.
The believer's hope is rooted in reality. It is rooted in external
facts. It is inseparable from all God's truths the way fire and
heat are inseparable. It is this connection with the facts of
God's world that distinguishes the believer's hope from the 'hope'
of the world. The 'hope' of the citizens of this world is "a
feeling that what he or she wants will happen" while
the hope of the believer is a certainty that what the God of
the Bible wants will happen. The 'hope' of the world has no
necessary connection with the truth since it can exist whether
it is supported by "facts" or not. The quotation above about 'hope' in the Nazi concentration
camp illustrated this. The response of hope did not arise because
it was based on a truth but could be a genuine response based
on an untruth, on a rumor, on wishful thinking, on a delusion.
The believer's hope of eternal life is not like that. The believer's
hope is always based on facts, is always part of "solid truth."
The believer's hope is a certainty or confidence regarding one's
destiny (Luke
12:32; 2 Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 11:16) because of the fact of what God
had already done--having made the believer a citizen of heaven.
And it is this hope of believers in what God purposed and planned
that is blotted out by the 'hope' of the world.
Yes, hope blots out hope. What is your hope?
(If you appreciate what you read here
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(If you appreciate what you read here please tell your friends about this URL and sign my guest book on the homepage. Also, if, as you read any of the meditations, you feel you know of a situation that beautifully illustrates any of the points made I would be delighted to learn of it. I might incorporate it.) mailto:camppp21355@comcast.net
If you wish to pursue your own study on issues (thoughts) raised or on the Scripture verses used try these links: The Goshen Bible Study Tools or Translate 2012 Bible Study Tools. An additional translation with many notes can be found at Net Bible.To search for related sermons (recent), sermon outlines, articles, devotions and topical sermons go here: Sermon Links.com
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