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<...Go back

Can you comment on hope?


Introduction. One of the saddest descriptions of the lost is, "without Christ...having no hope..." (Eph. 2: 12). God is the author of true hope; hence, he is the "God of hope" (Rom. 15: 13). The eighteen different original words translated hope collectively suggest "confidence," "refuge," "expectation," "trust," and "stay." There is the consistent idea of "looking for."

The origin of true hope. The scriptures are a great source of hope. They tell us of life beyond the grave (1 Thes. 4: 13-18). "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning," Paul wrote, "that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Rom. 15: 4). The expression regarding love "hopeth all things" shows biblical love is also a source of hope (1 Cor. 13: 7).

That in which we are to hope. Hope should not be placed in that which is unreliable; hence, false (Job 31: 24; Mk. 10: 24). Hope should be placed in God, his word, and in God's mercy (1 Pet. 1: 21; Ps. 119: 74; Ps. 147: 11). We also read of "hope for the truth" (Isa. 38: 18).

Some accomplishments of hope. "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul," the Bible says, "both sure and steadfast..." (Heb. 6: 19, 18). Hope, then, anchors or stabilizes the soul. Hope is said to be the "helmet of salvation" (I Thes. 5: 8). Hope can prompt continuous purification in the one who possesses hope (1 John 3: 3). Hope can also be responsible for "plainness of speech" in the teaching of the gospel to others (2 Cor. 3: 12).

In connection with the gospel, Christians have a better hope (Heb. 7: 19). The Christian should, therefore, "abound in hope" (Rom. 15: 13). There is "one hope" for the Christian and that hope is heaven (Eph. 4: 4). Peter wrote, "To an inheritance incorruptible...reserved in heaven for you" (1 Pet. 1: 4).
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