What Hope Have You?

It might be difficult to express properly my hope concerning the future. However, the books of the Bible can give me the best answer. Moreover we may miss God’s promise if we don’t accept earnestly and sincerely the Bible hope.

1). Salvation depends upon our acceptance and permanent holding of the hope preached by the apostles:”We are saved by hope” (Romans 8:24)

”Whose house are we if we hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of the hope irm unto the end” (Hebrews 3:6)”Continue in faith and do not be moved away from the hope of the gospel” (Colossians 1:23)”The gospel … is the power of God unto salvation for those who believeth” (Romans 1:16).

2). There is only one hope shown in apostolic teaching, and not several various or conflicting hopes ”You are called in one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4)”The hope of the gospel” (Colossians 1:23)”Looking for that blessed hope” (Titus 2:13; Colossians 1:5)”If any man preach any other gospel, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).

3). This one hope is the hope of Israel, or the hope established in the Jewish nation, ages before Christ appeared, by the promises made to the fathers of

that nation:”For the hope of Israel, I (Paul) am bound with this chain” (Acts 28:20; 26:6)”Jesus Christ came to confirm the promises make unto the fathers” (Romans 9:4: 15:8)”Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22).

4). Hope presents for faith the prospect of certain good things to come, to be hoped for on the strength of the promises of God, whom we honour by believing His word: ”Faith is the substance of things hoped for” (Hebrews 11:1)”Hope to the end for the grace (or favour) that is to be brought into you at the revelation of Christ” (1 Peter 1:13)”We have here no continuing city, but we seek one to come” (Hebrews 13:14; Romans 4:21).

5).Our hope includes the hope of eternal life, and inheritance of the kingdom of God:”In hope of eternal life, which God who cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2)”This is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1 John 2:25)”Heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him” (James 2:5)”So an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour” (2 Peter 1:11)”Come, ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom” (Matthew 25:34).

6). Without a belief – a hearty and joyful belief – we cannot be saved: ”He that believeth not shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16)”Without faith for things hoped for, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6) ”He that hath this hope purifieth himself” (1 John 3:3).

7).“We must hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of the hope” (Hebrews 3:6). ”We are saved by hope” (Romans 8:24)

God has given us His word for us to believe, and to do good so that we please Him; then we shall enjoy the benefits brought by Jesus Christ at his return. Stay close to the Bible’s message, since other hopes are without foundation. Oh! God, guide us in our commitment to the Bible, to reach the kingdom.

Bro Geoffrey Wanyama (Chwele, Uganda)