Why is a Christian hopeful? To start with, we hope in our salvation through Jesus Christ. We do not have any physical proof that this occurs in our heart; however, hope that is seen is no hope at all. No one hopes for what he already has. God gives us this hope when we ask for His forgiveness (Romans 8: 24).
God’s Holy Spirit comes to live in our Born Again spirit from the moment of our conversion. The hope that God gives us produces faith and love in us. It is stored up for us in Heaven and revealed to us in the word of truth, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ’s life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and eventual return to rule on the earth (Colossians 1:5).
Through Jesus, we also obtain access by faith to the grace of God which helps us to stand through the trials of life (Romans 5:2). We celebrate the hope of the glory of God being revealed in us (Romans 8:18). This hope allows us to rejoice in our suffering, knowing without a doubt that it produces endurance, character, and faith (Romans 5:3-4).
Hoping in God does not lead to shame, because shame is from Satan and is used by Him to demoralize us and to keep us trapped in a downward spiral. We do feel guilt when the Spirit convicts us of sin, however, because sin produces guilt. Guilt leads to conviction, and conviction leads us to conversion.
Through His Holy Spirit, whom God gives to us at the moment of our conversion, God pours out His love into our heart (Romans 5:5). Our salvation gives us confidence, which draws us ever nearer to the heart of God (Hebrews 7:19). The Holy Spirit transforms our life to one of blessings and peace, regardless of our circumstances.
God gave us the hope of eternal life before time began and prior to the formation of the world. It begins for each one of us on the day we believe God for salvation and are converted, and it continues throughout infinity and beyond (Titus 1:2).
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for Jesus sacrifice on the cross that ensures that we can enjoy eternal life both now and throughout eternity. We hope in Your salvation and look forward to living with You in the new heaven and the new earth (2 Peter 3:13). This faith and love in our heart springs from the hope that is stored up for us by You in heaven. We are so grateful that You desire that no one should perish in eternal damnation, but that everyone can come and put their faith and trust in You alone (John 3:16-18).
You raised Christ from the dead and restored Him to His former glory on His throne in heaven. Soon, You will also raise us from the dead, or rapture us from the earth, as You bring us into Your glorious presence forever (1 Peter 1:21). We look forward to serving You for eternity in Your physical presence. You are our God and there is no one else like You. The power of Your Spirit in us makes us overflow with hope even as we continue to live in this scary world (Romans 15:13; Galatians 2:20).
Thought for the Day:
We can trust God and hope in His salvation that He freely provides for anyone humble enough to admit their need for Him as our Savior from sin. God cares about everything in our life and encourages us to cast all our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7). He is the God of our hope, and He fills us with all joy and peace, as we trust in Him alone (Romans 15:13-15).
