Attitudes of the Heart - Hope
In this study we will examine another attitude which should characterize and govern each and every Christian. It is the attitude of hope. When we first hear the word “hope” we generally think of something like a “wish.” This type of hope is nothing more than desiring that circumstances randomly align for our pleasure or benefit. There is no concrete basis for this hope, only a desire that something happen. This is not a Biblical definition of hope.Unlike the world’s concept of hope, Biblical hope has no uncertainty about it. It is not helplessly wishing that something will happen, but it is a confident expectation that God will fulfill what he has promised.The world knows nothing of this kind of hope:
Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.Job 8:13 Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What will happen to the hope of the godless?[/su_box]Job 11:20 tells us that the hope of the unsaved will fail; it will be like a dead person “giving up the ghost.” Whether it be money, success, good works, or the belief systems they have invented for themselves, it is all empty and fleeting. The hope of the Christian is not this way.
Hebrews 6:18-19 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. In v19, what words are used to describe the stable and secure nature of the Christian’s hope?[/su_box]The Christian’s hope is stable and secure (like an anchor) because it rests on God’s unchanging promises. This hope is not “wishful thinking”; it is confidently expecting that what God has promised he will actually do.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. How is hope related to faith?[/su_box]Faith and hope are inseparable. Faith is taking those things which we hope for and counting them as reality. It is living in full assurance that what we hope for will indeed come to pass. This however is not a blind or naïve hope. It is a reasonable hope founded upon the promises of God.
The Reasons for our Christian Hope
In 1 Peter 3:15, Peter encourages Christians always be prepared to explain the reasons for the “hope that is in you.” Let’s consider some of the reasons that underlie the Christian’s hope.
1. Christ’s Resurrection and Return
1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.1 Corinthians 15:17-18 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What are the consequences if Christ is not risen from the dead?[/su_box]If Christ is not risen than our faith and our preaching is vain, we are still in our sins and those who have died have perished like any other animal. This is a hopeless scenario. Thankfully it is not true of the Christian. Look at 1 Peter 1:3:
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. Because Christ is risen, what are we “born again to” ? [/su_box]All of God’s promises are bound up in the person of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 1:20). It was his resurrection from the dead that set the fulfillment of these promises into motion. His resurrection was the confirmation that he was indeed the son of God and that he could and would fulfill all of God’s promises (Rom 1:4). Look up John 14:2-3 to see one of these promises:
John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What did Jesus go to Heaven to do? According to v3, What will he do?[/su_box]The resurrection of Jesus Christ confirmed that he was the son of God and made all of his promises credible. One such promise was his pledge to prepare a place in Heaven for us and to come again in order to receive us unto himself. Look at Titus 2:13 to see just how integral the return of Christ is to the Christian’s hope.
Titus 2:13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What did Paul describe as “the blessed hope?” [/su_box]It is Christ’s return that ushers in the fulfillment of every other promise which God has given to man (2 Cor 1:20). If Christ had not promised to return than the Christian would have no hope in this world (Eph 2:12; 1 Cor 15:19) and if he did not rise from the dead, his promises would have no credibility. Because he has risen, he has left us with a lively, vibrant hope. This is the same hope that turned the depressed and discouraged disciples after Christ’s death into bold proclaimers of the gospel following His resurrection.Not only has the resurrection of Jesus Christ given us a hope for his return, but it has also given us a hope for our own future resurrection:
2. Our Resurrection from the Dead
1 Corinthians 15:20-23 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. v20. When Christ rose from the dead, what did he become?[/su_box]The firstfruits were the first of a crop to be harvested and were an indication of the full harvest which would follow. Christ was the firstfruits and his resurrection paved the way for the resurrection of every believer. His resurrection was the assurance that we too could hope for our own resurrection. In fact, without this hope, the Bible tells us that the Christian life would be one of misery.
1 Corinthians 15:19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. If our hope does not include our coming resurrection than what does this say about our present lives?[/su_box]
Acts 24:15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What did Paul have hope in God for?[/su_box]
Acts 23:6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial."
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. How did Paul describe his belief in the resurrection from the dead?[/su_box]As Christians we look forward to the return of Jesus Christ and our resurrection from the dead with a confident expectation. We know it will happen because God has promised that it will and has confirmed it by the resurrection of his Son. Our hope is not a fleeting, vain or futile hope but a hope which rests soundly on God’s promises.Our hope rests in Christ’s resurrection, His return, our resurrection and next of all, it rests in God’s promise of our future glorification.
3. Our Glorification
Our salvation really has three tenses to it. The moment we were saved, the Bible says we were justified. This has to do with our immediate deliverance from the penalty of sin. The Christian will never face the wrath or condemnation of God because Christ has satisfied God’s judgment on the cross. That is the past tense of salvation.Secondly, there is the present tense. This is what the Bible calls sanctification. This is a continual process in the life of a Christian as God makes him more and more like Jesus Christ and gives him daily victory over the power of sin. In this sense, it is legitimate to say that we are “being saved.” (1 Cor 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15)Lastly, there is a future tense of salvation. Not only have we been justified in the past, and are being sanctified in the present but we will be glorified in the future.Romans 8:21 says that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What will we be delivered from? What will we be delivered into?[/su_box]The moment we were saved, God made us “spiritually alive” (Eph 2:1,5). He made us new creatures on the inside but this did not affect our fleshly bodies (2 Cor 4:7; Rom 7:24). Our bodies are yet to be changed; this is what glorification is all about. It is the time when we will finally be made like Jesus Christ and even our fleshly bodies will be made new (Rom 8:23). There remains an aspect of our salvation which has not yet come to pass. Because this final aspect of our salvation is yet to happen, it is something that we hope for.
Romans 8:29-30 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What are the five aspects of salvation mentioned here?[/su_box]God loved us from the foundation of the world (foreknowledge [Rom 11:2]) and predetermined that we would become like Christ (predestination). He then called us to salvation and at that moment forgave us all of our sin (justification).Notice that in this passage those whom he foreknew are the very same whom he predestined, and called and justified. Likewise, all who are justified are glorified. God’s promises are so secure that even those which have not yet come to pass can be referred to in the past tense (Rom 8:17, 21).Each and every one of these aspects of salvation from foreknowledge to glorification are inseparable. There has never been a man who was “foreknown” of God but was not predestined. Likewise, there has never been a man who has been predestined who has not been called or justified. Every man, woman or child who has ever been saved will be glorified.
Philippians 3:20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. v20. What are we looking forward to (awaiting)?Q. v21. What will Christ do with our bodies when he returns?[/su_box]It is because there remains a future glorification for the believer that we read such Biblical encouragements as “straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” and “For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” These refer to our final redemption and glorification; it is actually the completion of the salvation which began the moment we believed.The Christian’s hope includes an anticipation of the return of Christ, our resurrection, our glorification and finally, it includes hope of an eternal inheritance in Heaven.
4. Our Eternal Inheritance in Heaven
According to Titus 1:2, What was Paul hoping for?Paul prayed in the first chapter of Ephesians that the believers in Ephesus would enter into a deeper understanding of the “hope of their calling” and “the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints” (Eph 1:18). He wanted them to grasp and then stand firmly upon the hope that awaited them. The Christian hope looks forward to an inheritance in Heaven.
1 Peter 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. According to v4, What are we looking forward to?Q. v4. In what four ways does Peter describe this inheritance? How does his description emphasize the sure nature of our inheritance?[/su_box]Once Christ returns, a series of events are set into motion. We are resurrected, we are glorified, and we are given our eternal inheritance in Heaven. From that point on, we will “always be with the Lord” (1 Thess 4:17). These are tremendous promises which lead to a tremendous hope. We are not wishing for these things to come to pass but are confidently expecting them to happen based upon the unwavering promises and faithfulness of our “God of hope” (Rom 15:13).
The Abiding Character of Hope
Since the Christian’s hope is built upon the promises of Christ’s future return and our final redemption, it is more than simple wishful thinking. This is a living, vibrant hope which should have a real, practical impact on our present lives. Our hope in Christ should lead us to daily abide in him. Trusting, depending and obeying Him.
1 John 2:28-29 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. According to v28, what is our motivation to “abide” in Christ?[/su_box]The day is coming when Christ will return and we will all stand before him as our judge (Acts 10:42; Rom 14:10). This should motivate us to “abide” in him in this life. It is by abiding in Christ that we can be confident and not ashamed when he returns.To “abide” simply means “to continue, remain or endure.” It speaks of the Christian who remains faithful to Jesus Christ throughout his entire life.
John 8:31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. Who are Christ’s true disciples?[/su_box][su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]The word “continue” in this verse is the same word translated “abide” in 1 John 2:28. What do you think it means to “continue in Christ’s word?”[/su_box]
John 15:9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What did Jesus tell us to continue or abide in?[/su_box]
John 15:10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. How do we abide in his love?[/su_box]
1 John 2:29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. Immediately after John told us to “abide in Christ” in 1 John 2:28, he went on to indicate one of the characteristics of abiding. What will be one of the marks of one who is abiding in Christ?[/su_box]
1 John 2:6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. Summarize this verse in your own words.[/su_box]Abiding in Jesus Christ requires that we live a life of continual obedience to his words. This obedience will result in righteous living and is clear evidence that we are indeed Christ’s disciples. (Rom 6:16-22; 1 John 3:10; John 8:31).[su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]Considering the above verses, what should we think of the man or woman who professes to be Christ’s disciple but does not obey his commands or live righteously?[/su_box]
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. In this passage John is discussing the unfortunate fact that some who had once professed to be Christians had since left the church. What did their departure from the church reveal (make plain) about them?Q. If they had indeed been Christians what would they have done? [/su_box]The hope which we have in Christ is a pervasive hope. It permeates every area of our lives. It is not accurate or biblical to claim that someone is a disciple of Jesus Christ and has a legitimate hope for His return if his life is not characterized by obedience to His commands. In fact, according to John, the failure to continue (or abide) in Christ is a surefire way to tell if someone is an imposter.Some would claim that this is an extreme or unreasonable understanding of salvation. They would assert that one can pray to receive Jesus Christ as their savior without continuing in a life of obedience to God and still be assured of their salvation. One of the main faults of this view is that it fails to give proper place to the doctrine of regeneration. That is, at the moment of salvation the believer is actually made spiritually new on the inside by the power of the Holy Spirit of God. This is a real transformation that results in a real change (2 Cor 5:17; Php 2:13; Eph 2:10).Another doctrine that is essential to understanding this idea of abiding is the indwelling of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit not only makes us spiritually alive at the moment of salvation but he actually lives within us until the return of Jesus Christ (Eph 4:30). So then, the ability to abide in Christ has the Holy Spirit of God as its source. This fact alone should eliminate the idea that “continuing in the faith” is too onerous a measure of salvation. The reality is, we abide in Christ because he abides in us. (John 14:16; John 15)
1 John 2:27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie--just as it has taught you, abide in him.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. Immediately before John told us to “abide in him” so that we would not “shrink from him in shame at his coming” he gave us this verse. What have we received from God? What will this cause us to do?[/su_box][su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]We are told to abide in Christ, yet we are also told that the Holy Spirit is the one who causes us to abide. Is our abiding in Christ God’s responsibility or ours? How do we reconcile this?[/su_box]Like many aspects of salvation, abiding in Christ is both God’s responsibility and ours. He has promised that every believer who has been justified will be glorified (Rom 8:29,30); that we will never be snatched from his hand (John 10:28); that nothing will separate us from his love (Rom 8:38-39); and that he will continue his work in us until the coming of Christ (Php 1:6). So why are there so many other exhortations to endure to the end (Matt 24:13); to hold fast our profession (Heb 4:14; 10:23) and to patiently continue in Him (Rom 2:7)?Because these exhortations are some of the very means which God uses to keep us in the faith until the coming of Christ (1 Cor 1:8). The true believer obeys God’s commands to abide and he does it through hard work. He struggles to continue, and endures until the end. Yet, he does all of this by the power of the Holy Spirit. This persevering in the faith is not for the purpose of attaining salvation but is the evidence that one already possesses it. Perseverance is the outward evidence of our inward hope in God.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What three ways did Paul characterize his life?[/su_box]
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. Because he faithfully abided in Christ, what was he looking forward to? How did he feel about Christ’s coming? How does this compare to 1 John 2:28?[/su_box]The Christian’s hope causes him to remain faithful to Christ until the end. This includes obeying his words, living righteously and purifying himself (1 John 3:2). Paul was a man who, driven by his hope of a future eternity with Jesus Christ, fought to abide in Christ and endure until the end. This will be the evidence of your hope and my hope as well. How might your attitude and lifestyle change if you were to spend time dwelling on the return of Christ and the inheritance that awaits you?[su_box title="Review!" style="soft" box_color="#FF4D2C"]1. What is the difference between the world's idea of hope and the Christians?2. Using page 1 as your source, define Biblical hope.3. How does the resurrection of Christ offer us hope in this life?4. How does the Christian's hope enable him to be joyful even in the face of death?5. How is God's faithfulness related to our hope?6. How does the Christian's hope help him to be faithful to Christ?7. Why do you think a life without a Biblical hope would be miserable? (1 Cor 15:19)[/su_box]