Christian Hope is Not Wishful Thinking
Apr 15, 2020 09:30:43 #
We often talk about hope in a type of wishful sense:
"I hope you have a nice day."
"Hope you have a relaxing vacation."
"I hope I get the job."
"I hope she says yes."
"I hope I get the promotion."
"I hope I don't get sick."
There are many things we hope for in this life, some more probable to happen than others. However, the biblical concept of hope goes far beyond these earthly hopes. It is not mere wishful thinking, but something we have confidence will happen. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
The Christian's hope is grounded in the belief that there is more to life than what we can wish for in this world. The Christian hope is based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and in God's promise to resurrect all who believe in Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:19–23).
It is the hope of forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13–14).
It is the hope of a heavenly home (Hebrews 11:16).
It is the hope of a glorified body in which to live (Philippians 3:20–21; 2 Thessalonians 1:10)
and it is the hope of a new earth on which to live (2 Peter 3:13).
Most importantly, it is the hope to live in these new glorified bodies on a new earth in the very presence of God Himself for all eternity (Revelation 21:2–4)—eternal life and joy in the presence of God (Psalm 16:11). This is the hope of all true believers.
This Christian hope is not wishful thinking. We have been given promises by God Himself that Jesus Christ, whom He raised from the dead, will return again. We have been promised by God Himself that when Jesus returns, we who believe will be transformed into the perfect image and likeness of His Son (2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2–3).
We have been promised that we who believe will be forgiven our sins because of the death of Christ and will inherit eternal life because of the righteousness and resurrection of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20; Titus 1:2).
The resurrection is no myth. It was a historical event witnessed by hundreds of people. Jesus Christ rose from the dead and appeared to His disciples and at least 500 other people (1 Corinthians 15:3–8). After forty days, Jesus ascended to heaven where He reigns at God's right hand (Acts 1:3; Ephesians 1:20). He will come again to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42).
In this we hope, and we have good reason to hope, for God has said it will be and God accomplishes everything He says (Hebrews 10:23; 1 Corinthians 1:9). He has done so throughout history and will continue to do so in the future.
As further assurance, God has given His Holy Spirit to believers in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:21–22). The Holy Spirit testifies to our hearts, minds, and spirits that the promises of God are true. The Holy Spirit confirms the truth of God's promises to us and assures us by His very presence in us that we belong to Christ (Romans 8:16). The Spirit confirms our adoption into God's family and therefore assures us that our hoped-for inheritance is certain (Romans 8:17). In fact, the Holy Spirit is God's pledge to us.
The Bible has much to say about hope, but this is what it says about our greatest hope. The ultimate Christian hope is that one day Christ will return and we who are looking forward to that return will go to be with Him forever (Titus 2:11–14). Because of Christ, we will triumph over sin, guilt, death, and hell itself (1 Corinthians 15:54–58; Romans 8:37). We will inherit eternal life to be enjoyed in the presence of our most loving and gracious God. We will even receive rewards for what we have done for Christ and we will reign with Him in a new world—a perfect world of love and righteousness.
In this we hope and because God has promised it we know it will certainly happen (Hebrews 6:13–20). All God's promises find their fulfillment in Christ, our Lord and Savior. He is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1)!
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Romans 15:13).
www.compellingtruth.org
"I hope you have a nice day."
"Hope you have a relaxing vacation."
"I hope I get the job."
"I hope she says yes."
"I hope I get the promotion."
"I hope I don't get sick."
There are many things we hope for in this life, some more probable to happen than others. However, the biblical concept of hope goes far beyond these earthly hopes. It is not mere wishful thinking, but something we have confidence will happen. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
The Christian's hope is grounded in the belief that there is more to life than what we can wish for in this world. The Christian hope is based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and in God's promise to resurrect all who believe in Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:19–23).
It is the hope of forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13–14).
It is the hope of a heavenly home (Hebrews 11:16).
It is the hope of a glorified body in which to live (Philippians 3:20–21; 2 Thessalonians 1:10)
and it is the hope of a new earth on which to live (2 Peter 3:13).
Most importantly, it is the hope to live in these new glorified bodies on a new earth in the very presence of God Himself for all eternity (Revelation 21:2–4)—eternal life and joy in the presence of God (Psalm 16:11). This is the hope of all true believers.
This Christian hope is not wishful thinking. We have been given promises by God Himself that Jesus Christ, whom He raised from the dead, will return again. We have been promised by God Himself that when Jesus returns, we who believe will be transformed into the perfect image and likeness of His Son (2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2–3).
We have been promised that we who believe will be forgiven our sins because of the death of Christ and will inherit eternal life because of the righteousness and resurrection of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20; Titus 1:2).
The resurrection is no myth. It was a historical event witnessed by hundreds of people. Jesus Christ rose from the dead and appeared to His disciples and at least 500 other people (1 Corinthians 15:3–8). After forty days, Jesus ascended to heaven where He reigns at God's right hand (Acts 1:3; Ephesians 1:20). He will come again to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42).
In this we hope, and we have good reason to hope, for God has said it will be and God accomplishes everything He says (Hebrews 10:23; 1 Corinthians 1:9). He has done so throughout history and will continue to do so in the future.
As further assurance, God has given His Holy Spirit to believers in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:21–22). The Holy Spirit testifies to our hearts, minds, and spirits that the promises of God are true. The Holy Spirit confirms the truth of God's promises to us and assures us by His very presence in us that we belong to Christ (Romans 8:16). The Spirit confirms our adoption into God's family and therefore assures us that our hoped-for inheritance is certain (Romans 8:17). In fact, the Holy Spirit is God's pledge to us.
The Bible has much to say about hope, but this is what it says about our greatest hope. The ultimate Christian hope is that one day Christ will return and we who are looking forward to that return will go to be with Him forever (Titus 2:11–14). Because of Christ, we will triumph over sin, guilt, death, and hell itself (1 Corinthians 15:54–58; Romans 8:37). We will inherit eternal life to be enjoyed in the presence of our most loving and gracious God. We will even receive rewards for what we have done for Christ and we will reign with Him in a new world—a perfect world of love and righteousness.
In this we hope and because God has promised it we know it will certainly happen (Hebrews 6:13–20). All God's promises find their fulfillment in Christ, our Lord and Savior. He is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1)!
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Romans 15:13).
www.compellingtruth.org
Apr 15, 2020 11:06:06 #
Zemirah wrote:
We often talk about hope in a type of wishful sens... (show quote)
Amen and Amen thank you Zemirah we all need some positive messages during this time of social distancing and lock down status here in the US. Thanks for the uplifting message during these trying times. Stay safe and stay strong as we all love you and your messages. Bruce👍👍👍👍👍
Apr 15, 2020 12:21:23 #
Thank you, Kind Sir!
bahmer wrote:
Amen and Amen thank you Zemirah we all need some positive messages during this time of social distancing and lock down status here in the US. Thanks for the uplifting message during these trying times. Stay safe and stay strong as we all love you and your messages. Bruce👍👍👍👍👍
Apr 15, 2020 12:23:35 #
Zemirah wrote:
Thank you, Kind Sir!
I hope that you are doing well with all of this shut in stuff.
Apr 15, 2020 19:03:13 #
Good afternoon, bahmer,
The greatest hardship has been for those 27,600 Americans who have lost their lives to this Chinese contagion, and for their families.
My concern is for the health care providers being exposed to infection 24/7. May God protect them all, and our president and his administration as they suffer unjust attacks nonstop.
I also pray for my family including grandchildren on the east coast, sheltered in their home in the midst of all the contagion and death in the NYC/N.J. area.
My son had surgery he couldn't postpone this past week... he said, getting into the hospital is an experience, now, as everything is tightly roped off from anyone getting close to desks or personnel.
He's recovering we,, praise God.
There has been very little change in my life, as I am retired and no longer drive anyway, other than choosing to forego a few routine medical clinic check-ins for a few months.
How about you?
I have been watching God's nature show in my backyard through the windows this spring, as dogwood and redbud trees have bloomed, the enormous oak tree is leafing, and the yellow daffodil and crocuses have displayed their blossoms.
There are cardinals, house wrens, blue jays, nuthatches and robins building or updating their nests for the season in the evergreens, oak trees and bushes.
The brown bunnies have come out from under the firewood pile for another year, and are feasting on newly grown tender grass, and the red fox squirrels are running back and forth across the handrails on the back deck that run the length of the house.
Last night from the kitchen window, immediately before dark, I saw an enormous doe just past the picnic table, contentedly grazing, the first deer I've seen there this spring.
I've ordered more groceries delivered, rather than have someone go into the store to purchase them for me, and made more internet purchases through Amazon and a few from Walmart, including a blood pressure cuff monitor for home use.
It was disconcerting to learn yesterday when I tried to place an internet order, that Christian bookstores aren't allowed to take orders or make shipments, as they're considered unnecessary.
For those who are not retired, and for the school age, this is surely a great adjustment, and for those suddenly, without warning, deprived of any income, it has been a genuine hardship.
The 91st Psalm is the balm of Gideon in reading material, as we wait upon the Lord.
I hope you're doing well, my friend.
The greatest hardship has been for those 27,600 Americans who have lost their lives to this Chinese contagion, and for their families.
My concern is for the health care providers being exposed to infection 24/7. May God protect them all, and our president and his administration as they suffer unjust attacks nonstop.
I also pray for my family including grandchildren on the east coast, sheltered in their home in the midst of all the contagion and death in the NYC/N.J. area.
My son had surgery he couldn't postpone this past week... he said, getting into the hospital is an experience, now, as everything is tightly roped off from anyone getting close to desks or personnel.
He's recovering we,, praise God.
There has been very little change in my life, as I am retired and no longer drive anyway, other than choosing to forego a few routine medical clinic check-ins for a few months.
How about you?
I have been watching God's nature show in my backyard through the windows this spring, as dogwood and redbud trees have bloomed, the enormous oak tree is leafing, and the yellow daffodil and crocuses have displayed their blossoms.
There are cardinals, house wrens, blue jays, nuthatches and robins building or updating their nests for the season in the evergreens, oak trees and bushes.
The brown bunnies have come out from under the firewood pile for another year, and are feasting on newly grown tender grass, and the red fox squirrels are running back and forth across the handrails on the back deck that run the length of the house.
Last night from the kitchen window, immediately before dark, I saw an enormous doe just past the picnic table, contentedly grazing, the first deer I've seen there this spring.
I've ordered more groceries delivered, rather than have someone go into the store to purchase them for me, and made more internet purchases through Amazon and a few from Walmart, including a blood pressure cuff monitor for home use.
It was disconcerting to learn yesterday when I tried to place an internet order, that Christian bookstores aren't allowed to take orders or make shipments, as they're considered unnecessary.
For those who are not retired, and for the school age, this is surely a great adjustment, and for those suddenly, without warning, deprived of any income, it has been a genuine hardship.
The 91st Psalm is the balm of Gideon in reading material, as we wait upon the Lord.
I hope you're doing well, my friend.
bahmer wrote:
I hope that you are doing well with all of this shut in stuff.
Apr 16, 2020 10:25:16 #
Zemirah wrote:
Good afternoon, bahmer, br br The greatest hardsh... (show quote)
I am doing well and only go out for essentials like meat and potatoes bread and a few other items. My youngest daughter lives in close proximity to me about 15 minutes away by car and they are doing fine and they are going to the grocery store as I type this. Both her husband and her aren't working and their son is not in school but working from a computer. My oldest daughter is on Maui and her daughter just had a baby which they named Tresle. Tresle is a favorite surfing spot of her husband in California. They are doing fine I just talked to her a couple of days ago. Even if I could afford it and wanted to if I flew to Maui I would have to undergo a 14 day quarantine period away from others so I do n't even know if I could quarantine with them or not probably not so no use going.
Apr 17, 2020 21:45:46 #
bahmer wrote:
I am doing well and only go out for essentials lik... (show quote)
I'm sorry. I have had 2 great grandbabies born during the shut down and its difficult not being able to go see them and they are here in the USA. Cant imagine them being across a ocean. This I think is the hardest part of this, missing family
Apr 17, 2020 22:11:20 #
Absolutely! My daughter was planning to travel here for her brother's surgery earlier this month, but she's practically quarantined in New Jersey, plus unwilling to expose me to whatever virus she could conceivably bring with her, plus what she might contract on the trip and take back there to my grandchildren.
I trust God that this too will pass for all those who trust in Him.
I trust God that this too will pass for all those who trust in Him.
Redangel62 wrote:
I'm sorry. I have had 2 great grandbabies born during the shut down and its difficult not being able to go see them and they are here in the USA. Cant imagine them being across a ocean. This I think is the hardest part of this, missing family
Apr 17, 2020 22:41:45 #
Zemirah wrote:
Absolutely! My daughter was planning to travel here for her brother's surgery earlier this month, but she's practically quarantined in New Jersey, plus unwilling to expose me to whatever virus she could conceivably bring with her, plus what she might contract on the trip and take back there to my grandchildren.
I trust God that this too will pass for all those who trust in Him.
I trust God that this too will pass for all those who trust in Him.
Amen! It will pass
Apr 17, 2020 23:00:54 #
TexaCan
Loc: Homeward Bound!
Zemirah wrote:
Good afternoon, bahmer, br br The greatest hardsh... (show quote)
You always paint the most beautiful pictures with your words!
I must admit after reading this that I am missing my beautiful Texas spring. The beautiful bluebonnets would fill the pastures mixed in with the buttercups and wild verbena! And always the baby calves! There’s nothing cuter than a baby calf and , of course, the baby cotton tail bunnies!
I too, am worried about those that live paycheck to paycheck! I pray our President is able to get things up and running again soon!
I’m glad to hear all your family is well! Our children and grandchildren are all secure in their jobs in the school system and are doing well! So far, no one that we know has had the virus. They were all going to come down this summer! I don’t know who was more excited, my son to go fishing, or my step daughter to go to the beach! We have 2 more great-grandchildren, a boy and a girl! I sure hope that we get to see them all!
Stay safe, my friend!
We are closer every day to hearing that trumpet call us home!
MARANATHA!
Apr 17, 2020 23:04:09 #
TexaCan
Loc: Homeward Bound!
Redangel62 wrote:
I'm sorry. I have had 2 great grandbabies born during the shut down and its difficult not being able to go see them and they are here in the USA. Cant imagine them being across a ocean. This I think is the hardest part of this, missing family
Congratulations on your babies! We also have two new great-grand babies! A little girl and a little boy!
Apr 17, 2020 23:06:22 #
TexaCan wrote:
Congratulations on your babies! We also have two new great-grand babies! A little girl and a little boy!
I had both boys. And cannot wait to hold them. I have 4 other greats so now have 6. Yep, God did bless me 😊😊😊
Apr 17, 2020 23:06:23 #
TexaCan
Loc: Homeward Bound!
bahmer wrote:
Amen and Amen thank you Zemirah we all need some positive messages during this time of social distancing and lock down status here in the US. Thanks for the uplifting message during these trying times. Stay safe and stay strong as we all love you and your messages. Bruce👍👍👍👍👍
I couldn’t have said that any better, so I’m just going to say ditto!
And maybe just one, Amen!🙂
Apr 17, 2020 23:07:02 #
TexaCan
Loc: Homeward Bound!
Redangel62 wrote:
I had both boys. And cannot wait to hold them
Absolutely!
Apr 17, 2020 23:14:21 #
TexaCan
Loc: Homeward Bound!
bahmer wrote:
I am doing well and only go out for essentials lik... (show quote)
Congratulations to you too! Great Grandparents seem to be a dime a dozen around here!😂
We WILL get to see and hold these babies!
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