A very wise man posted a comment on my Facebook page recently. He said “Can you imagine life without hope?”
I remembered reading this from Romans 5…
Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have also obtained access into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory. Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:1-5
The interesting thing in this note to the Roman church, and us by extension, from Paul, is just who has this hope, and how they/we got it. In his opening remark, Paul says “Since we have been declared righteous by faith…” indicating that only those who believe, through faith, in the redeeming work of Christ are included in this. So, we have peace with God, and the ensuing hope of God’s glory, through Christ, by way of the Holy Spirit! Talk about a Trinity moment!
But what that also means is those who do not have that belief in Christ, that faith in His work of redemption, also have no peace, no hope. And that’s our task now: share that hope, that faith, that knowledge of the work of Christ. Enough doom and despair. Enough corrupt government, regardless which side you think is corrupt. Remember what Paul said to Timothy?
“This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” — and I am the worst of them. But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life.”
That’s the gospel story – the work of Christ. He came to save sinners, to bring hope to the world! My challenge to you today? Fill your conversation, your Facebook page, your Twitter feed, your Instagram, with this message of hope, through Christ. Because we know that, to a Christian, hope is a sure thing, something that will never fail!
