Our Hope in Christ
Sometimes , I take a moment and sit back and look at the world I live in. It’s a unique perspective and position that Christians hold. We are in the world but not of this world (2 Peter 1:4).. We are subject to this world’s laws, environmental, social, and political fluctuations and yet there is a seed budding and flowing within us that is not of this world and that is eternal. That seed is the Holy Spirit – a part of God, a teacher, leader, comforter, and guide to help us. God’s Spirit whispers to our hearts in the middle of the night, warns us in the middle of the day, and comforts us when the darkness of discouragement falls on our lives.
We are blessed and given God’s Word. An instruction and guide book penned through the lives of men and women for our benefit and for our use (Romans 15:4). A message of hope and encouragement that we often take for granted or ignore all together. A book that frightens the sinner but inspires the saint; and we are the saints of God. No longer do we hold the title of sinner. We’ve been cleansed, washed, and purified by the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:7). The sin and habits of old that kept us bound and shackled in fear Christ broke and dashed on the cross. We are free in Christ and yet we think and act as if we are in bondage (Romans 6:18). Why? Due to unbelief. We believe with our eyes, we hear with our ears, and we perceive with our minds the earthly when we are clothed upon with the heavenly. We yet can not fathom the reality of our lives in Christ and His truth that has set us free (John 8:32).
So for now we “see through a glass, darkly” (1 Cor. 13:12), our knowledge is only partial as is our understanding (1 Cor. 13:9) and yet in Christ we have the greatest of hope (Romans 5:2)!
We are constrained by the love of God towards Him and for each other. Christ is increasing within us and urging us on-ward and upward to continue patient in hope and yet ever pressing for the high calling found in Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:14).
We are blessed and given God’s Word. An instruction and guide book penned through the lives of men and women for our benefit and for our use (Romans 15:4). A message of hope and encouragement that we often take for granted or ignore all together. A book that frightens the sinner but inspires the saint; and we are the saints of God. No longer do we hold the title of sinner. We’ve been cleansed, washed, and purified by the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:7). The sin and habits of old that kept us bound and shackled in fear Christ broke and dashed on the cross. We are free in Christ and yet we think and act as if we are in bondage (Romans 6:18). Why? Due to unbelief. We believe with our eyes, we hear with our ears, and we perceive with our minds the earthly when we are clothed upon with the heavenly. We yet can not fathom the reality of our lives in Christ and His truth that has set us free (John 8:32).
So for now we “see through a glass, darkly” (1 Cor. 13:12), our knowledge is only partial as is our understanding (1 Cor. 13:9) and yet in Christ we have the greatest of hope (Romans 5:2)!
We are constrained by the love of God towards Him and for each other. Christ is increasing within us and urging us on-ward and upward to continue patient in hope and yet ever pressing for the high calling found in Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:14).
posted by Michael Byrd at 5:47 AM
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