HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS NOT HOPE

Gladys Crook

“Blessed be the  God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein we greatly rejoice…” I Peter 1:3-6.

This is a living hope, and I believe, speaks of when we receive our glorified bodies, the first phase of our inheritance. We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, and surely, that salvation is when we receive our new bodies. It is a hope that is sure and steadfast as are all the promises of the Lord.

In Hebrews 6:18-20 we read, we have “strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus…” That is why it is sure, because Jesus Himself has gone before.

Then we read of the Blessed Hope in Titus 2:11-13. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Surely it is a Blessed Hope. When the storms of life surround us, we have the upward look above the clouds and are blessed.

I John 3:2-3: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as she is pure.” So this is a purifying Hope. That is why we are told to live soberly, righteously, in this present world. It surely does purify and sanctify our hearts.

Then we read in Romans 5:2-5 of the Hope of the glory of God in which we rejoice. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts…” We shall never be put to shame for the Hope that we have because of the love of God in our hearts, and because it is sure and stedfast.

The last verse of I Corinthians 13 tells, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity (love), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).” One of these days soon, Faith and Hope will no longer be needed, but Love will be with us throughout Eternity. Praise the Lord!