Ambassadors of Hope
The Blessed Hope
“For in [this] hope we were saved. But hope [the object of hope] which is seen
Is not hope. For how can one hope for what he already sees?
But if we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure.”
Romans 8:24, 25 AMP
HOPE: to expect, with confidence
Hope is an essential characteristic of the Christian life.
Hope is one of the three (3) main elements of Christian character (I Cor. 13:13).
· Faith says: I believe … “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mark 1:15 The word translated “believe” in this verse is the verb form of “faith”.
· Hope says: I’m sure I believe … “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Hebrew 11:7 KJV
· Love says: I’m so sure I believe that I am willing to commit myself to move toward it, continuously … “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs….” John 21:15-17 KJV (Compare the good Samaritan)
Believers are to be watchful.
Not being certain of His return, it is important that we be on the alert as to the possibility that He may come at any time (Matthew 24:42).
In His parable of the foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) Jesus told of them sleeping and not being ready when the Bridegroom came (Compare James 5:7,8).
Peter warned against unbelief that could blunt the expectant spirit and cause people to say, “where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”
2 Peter 3:3, 4
The believers are to use the “Hope” of Christ’s Second Coming as a motivation to work.
In His parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus reserved His condemnation for the man who did nothing, simply taking his talent and hiding it.
Let the “Blessed Hope” reign and rule in your expectation.
In 1 John 3:3, it says, “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
Aristotle, one of the greatest philosophers Greece ever produced, once said this:
“Hope is a waking dream”.
Genuine “Hope” is not wishful thinking, but a firm assurance about things that are unseen and still in the future (Romans 8:24, 25; Hebrew 11:1, 7).
While holding to that “Blessed Hope” that we all share, we must remember not to lend ourselves to those things that are degrading to our souls.
Like the Hebrew midwives who defied the edict of Pharoah in Egypt.
Like Noah who labored for 100 years to build the Ark.
Like Joseph who, when confronted with the intoxicating lure of sex, ran off, leaving his clothes.
When the three (3) Hebrew boys declared, “my God is able to deliver us, but even if He doesn’t, we still won’t serve your god.”
© 2009 Nathaniel Stalling Jr