Jesus Christ, Our Living Hope

Hope is an eternal quality whose foundation is the character and nature of God Himself. Based on the fact that God is faithful to keep His promises, hope is a confident expectation of the Lord “always leading us in triumph,’ of “making all things work for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose,” and of all the other promises given in His Word.  Though hope looks forward to things not yet seen, by faith it has the power to motivate and strengthen us to willingly live for Him now. 

God’s perfect eternal plan was to send His Son to rescue us from sin and death and reconcile us to the Father.  Hope was demonstrated as Jesus submitted to His death and was raised to glorious life, with the promise that we will likewise be raised and become like Him, our living hope.  We look forward to His glorious coming and a fulfilled life sharing divine nature with Him for eternity.  

 Contrary to the way the word is commonly used as “wishing,” such as someone might “hope” their sports team wins, true hope is based on solid promises and is the security of knowing things to come.  This know-so attitude rests on the faithful promises of God, who cannot lie.  As an anchor of our soul, this powerful force gives strength to be faithful and steadfast in our daily challenges.  In the midst of trials, as declared in 1^st Corinthians 10, we are reminded that “God is faithful” to provide both strength to endure and to show us the way of escape.  Likewise, Paul in his epistles considers all his trials as nothing compared to sharing the glory of God forever. As an expression of God's love and grace, 2 Thessalonians 2 promises that this “good hope” and “eternal consolation,” will comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. 

So God’s prayer for you and me is “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit,” Romans 15:13.

Despise the Shame

What do you see? 

Jesus, according to Hebrews 12:2, was so focused on completing God's will (even unto death) that he "despised the shame" of all the ridicule, beating, torture and pain of death on the cross.  There is both a principle of life and an example that challenges every Christian.  So, let's look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, to learn this lesson.

Whenever we set our heart to obey God or to do something for the Lord, there will always be obstacles and challenges designed to distract and prevent us from moving forward.  We have to learn to despise the shame, in other words, think nothing of the cost compared to the glory of God that comes from obedience.  

Consider the comments of Paul, who also went through beatings, shipwrecks, false accusations and imprisonment, saying on one hand to count the cost and then on the other hand declaring, "the cost is nothing" compared to the glory of God to be revealed.  The point is that there is always a cost, but we have to keep our focus on the prize and not let the cost deter us from accomplishing the God-given task.  Because our flesh may get discouraged by circumstances and quit, God warns us in Galatians 6:9, "let us not grow weary while doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." 

Therefore, be encouraged.  God, who is always faithful, will give you both the will and the power to do what He asks. Choose to ignore and think nothing of the effort or abuse that you may have to endure so that you press on to receive the prize.  Faith and patience (same Greek word for endurance) inherit the promises.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and refuse to be side-tracted by the shame or cost.  You will succeed.