Hope
This Christmas season I noticed a variety of signs and ornaments that had "HOPE" written on them. I wondered what "HOPE" meant to the makers of these items and to those who purchased them. Dictionary.com notes that "HOPE" is both a noun (person, place, or thing) and a verb (action). For example, hope (noun) as in "the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best." Or hope (verb) as in "to believe, desire, or trust." So if I said, "My hope (verb) is that she doesn't give up hope (noun)," then I've used it both as a noun and a verb in the same sentence.
You may be saying, "What difference does it make?" In I Peter 1:18-21, Peter tells us where our hope should come from and why we should have this hope: For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
As believers in Jesus Christ, our hope is firmly in the One who saved us from our sins! We are sinners saved purely by grace, not by anything we could do for God to prove ourselves worthy. Mainly because we are not worthy, but through Christ Jesus, the spotless lamb of God, we are given hope both in Him and by Him. Colossians 1:27 says it like this, "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
You may be saying, "What difference does it make?" In I Peter 1:18-21, Peter tells us where our hope should come from and why we should have this hope: For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
As believers in Jesus Christ, our hope is firmly in the One who saved us from our sins! We are sinners saved purely by grace, not by anything we could do for God to prove ourselves worthy. Mainly because we are not worthy, but through Christ Jesus, the spotless lamb of God, we are given hope both in Him and by Him. Colossians 1:27 says it like this, "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
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