Hope

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Perhaps you have lived through the experience of having a doctor tell you that there is “no hope” for a loved one. Having gone through this myself, I can attest to the fact that it is an horrible feeling to lose all hope. Hope is defined as a desire and an expectation.

Simply wanting something is not hope. Hope is desiring something and expecting to receive it.

Without Jesus Christ, none of us have any hope of salvation. When he was writing to the Ephesians, Paul pointed out that, as Gentiles, they were not included in the Law of Moses. They were without God and had no hope. “That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12). But they were given hope through Christ; “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13).

Thanks to the sacrifice of Christ, we can hope (desire and expect) for salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8). That is not to say that everyone is going to be saved. Christ died for all but only those who are obedient to Him will receive salvation. These obedient individuals desire and expect that their sins will be forgiven. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

Due to the fact that God has made salvation possible, we can now hope for eternal life with Him.

“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, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you…” (1 Peter 1:3-4). We can look forward to an eternal abode where there is no more death, sorrow, pain, or crying.

Do you share that hope?

Ralph Price

"Have You Heard" articles posted with permission.

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