True Hope

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. 13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.  16 So we do not lose heart.  Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Hope. That is what this passage gives me and hopefully it gives it to you as well.  Why is hope important?  If you have no hope, then what is the point?  If you have hope then you will not despair, instead you will persevere.  All people go through times in their life when all they want to do is just lay down and give up.  However, as Christians we can take refuge in our hope that all trials for us are temporary.  Psalm 30:5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. We may have be having a hard time in this life right now but we have to remember that since this is only a temporary life; it won't last forever and when it’s over we will never have another worry.

With every breath we take we get closer and closer to death.  But the thing is, although our bodies will eventually return to the dust from which they came, our souls are immortal and will continue on.  Now for the Christian this shouldn't be a worry, but for some reason I see a lot of Christians who live their life like they are afraid of losing it.  Why is it so many Christians are afraid to do as Paul commanded Timothy to do and take hold of their eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12)?  Why should we be afraid? What does it matter what happens to us?  Why fear death? As Christians we are called to die.  We are called to turn our bodies over to Christ and let him shape us into his image.  Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.   

When Christ is in us we should be filled with an unbreakable resolve because we know that no matter what happens we will one day be standing by His side and sharing in His inheritance.  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, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  Verse five tells us that God is guarding us through our faith.  So as long as we have faith then why worry so much about the things of this world? I'm not saying that we should just relax and rest on our laurels because God is going to take care of everything, but there is no sense in getting yourself worked into frenzy over temporal things.  Luke 12:25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to the span of his life?

What then shall we do? Through the hope we have in Him, we should be content in Christ Jesus our Lord in every situation.  Philippians 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  While powerful, verse thirteen is not a rallying cry for those who want to climb mountains or become a financial success.  Instead it is a statement that no matter what situation that he is in, be it good or bad, Paul knows that Jesus is with him and that Jesus will see His will done.  Paul recognizes that as a Christians our goal is to see Jesus's will done and that knowledge is the secret to his contentment.  Why can't more of us today be like that?  If we are doing God's will, then what do we have to be worried about?  Don't you trust in the promise of Jesus?  Do you not have enough faith to have hope?