The blessing of “Christ in you” is called “the hope of glory.” Unfortunately, there are those that have false hope (1 Corinthians 15:19). False hope will ultimately make one miserable. It’s hope in money, intellect, abilities, ceremonies and dead works. Thus, to live without Christ is to die without hope! Dante, in The Inferno, said the sign over the gate to Hell reads, “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.” There is no comfort at death except the sure hope of heaven. The word “hope” is a Greek word that means “confidence.” Those who belong to Christ have confidence of glory because they have been cleansed by Jesus’ blood. They have confidence because of His resurrection; they are confident of a better place. Therefore, the Christian’s hope is not the uncertain things of this world, but the well-grounded expectation of that which God has prepared for and promised to His people. What does “the hope of glory”involve?
A Good Hope
Paul said, “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). In our intercessions and petitions, we would do well to remember God’s past faithfulness and present blessings. His faithfulness in the past is a promise of His faithfulness for the future. Consider this illustration: A man watched a little league baseball game one afternoon. He asked a boy in the dugout what the score was. The boy responded, “Eighteen to nothing – we’re behind.” “Wow,” said the spectator, “I’ll bet you’re discouraged.” “Why should I be discouraged?” replied the little boy. “We haven’t even gotten up to bat yet!” Hope is a good thing; it’s the best thing!
A Living Hope
Peter said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). We are born again to a “living hope,” because we have eternal life in a Savior who has conquered death Himself. The hope lives because it is set on an inheritance incorruptible, which can never fade away-because it is reserved in heaven. This is a significant contrast to any inheritance on this earth. “There are no hopeless situations; there are only people who have grown hopeless about them” (Clare Luce).
A Purifying Hope
John said, “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure”(1 John 3:3). Having the anticipation of being with Jesus can have a marvelous purifying effect in our lives. It makes us want to be ready for His return. It also makes us want to serve and please Him.
A Blessed Hope
Paul told Titus, “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ”(2:13). Grace teaches us to expect and prepare for our blessed hope, the second coming of Jesus. Christians should live in active expectation of the return of Jesus.
In conclusion, hope is a firm assurance regarding things that are unseen and unclear (Romans 8:24-25; Hebrews 11:1, 7). Of all people who are living, the Christian is the only one that has true hope.
