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WHAT IS HOPE? - A Discussion

Brothers and Sisters,

I'd like to ask all Christians to participate in the discussion of a most important topic:  HOPE.

HOPE is a beautiful word and has tremendous meaning that effects every aspect of our lives. For Christians, "HOPE" is a motivator, an encourager, a strengthener, a guide, OUR LORD, and the core of our beings in this short life. However, there are many questions and discussions that Christians can have on this most important topic.

How REAL is our HOPE, and what is it based on?

There are many discussions from the lost about our HOPE that question its REALITY. As examples:  can it be seen, can it be felt, and can it be heard in this short life?

How do we convince the LOST that our HOPE is REAL?

There are many other facets of HOPE and questions about HOPE. The answers about HOPE can be a positive impact on every Christian RIGHT NOW, even in this short life. On the other side of the discussion, we know that much of our HOPE is not of this world or in this world. This does not hint that HOPE is non-existent in this short life. WHY? Doesn't JESUS CHRIST exist for us in this short life? Doesn't the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD live in our hearts during this short life? Can we have a personal fellowship with GOD during this short life? Can we approach the THRONE OF GRACE in this short life? Can we have a DAILY WALK IN THE SPIRIT in this short life? Can GOD make our JOY MORE FULL during this short life if we yield to HIS Will, study HIS WORD, and try to make HIM OUR MASTER and HEAD in all things? The answers to all of these questions is YES!

Brothers and Sisters, let's share with each other, encourage each other, and try to strengthen each other with the things WE KNOW that GOD gives us RIGHT NOW! How much does GOD give us RIGHT NOW just in HIS WORD? Isn't just this beyond human imagination? If you have a thought about this subject or a portion of Scripture, please share it with everyone. Can't we think about and discuss GOD'S Promises to us even if many of them won't be fulfilled in this short life? YES! Are they any less real because they aren't Promised for this short life? NO!

I'd like to start this off with a beautiful portion of Scripture that speaks volumes:

Colossians 1:24-27 ASV  24  Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church;  25  whereof I was made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfil the word of God,  26  even the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints,  27  to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:


Colossians 1:24-27 AMP  24  [Even] now I rejoice in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf. And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking and remains to be completed [on our part] of Christ's afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church.  25  In it I became a minister in accordance with the divine stewardship which was entrusted to me for you [as its object and for your benefit], to make the Word of God fully known [among you]--  26  The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations [from angels and men], but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints),  27  To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Luke 21:7-11 ASV  7  And they asked him, saying, Teacher, when therefore shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when these things are about to come to pass? 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not led astray: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am he; and, The time is at hand: go ye not after them. 9 And when ye shall hear of wars and tumults, be not terrified: for these things must needs come to pass first; but the end is not immediately. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 and there shall be great earthquakes, and in divers places famines and pestilences; and there shall be terrors and great signs from heaven.

Brothers and Sisters,

In a very simple form, "HOPE" means the "expectation of something good". It's interesting that there is no Hebrew word with the same force of meaning.

I wanted to add a few things about this fascinating word, "HOPE". First, it can be either a noun or a verb. Second, the English language is not a very rich language when compared to the Hebrew and Greek. We could talk about specific examples in the Old or the New Testament, but I'll simply say that many translations of the Holy Bible were inconsistent in their translations to English. As an example, Old Testament Hebrew translated as "HOPE" had as many as 15 different Hebrew words. I find it fascinating that "TRUST" and "FAITH" are also English words that heavily relate to the various Hebrew variations. It's fascinating but not surprising when considering the very simple definition of "the expectation of something good." I just found the language comparisons to be interesting and wanted to share them with you.

I also want to share a few more beautiful portions of Scripture:

Romans 5:1-2 ASV  1  Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;  2  through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.


Romans 5:1-2 AMP  1  THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).  2  Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.


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Romans 15:4-7 ASV  4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.  5  Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus:  6  that with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  7  Wherefore receive ye one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God.


Romans 15:4-7 AMP  4  For whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by [our steadfast and patient] endurance and the encouragement [drawn] from the Scriptures we might hold fast to and cherish hope.  5  Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,  6  That together you may [unanimously] with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).  7  Welcome and receive [to your hearts] one another, then, even as Christ has welcomed and received you, for the glory of God.


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Ephesians 1:15-23 ASV  15  For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which ye show toward all the saints,  16  cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;  17  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;  18  having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,  19  and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might  20  which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,  21  far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  22  and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church,  23  which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.


Ephesians 1:15-23 AMP  15  For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints (the people of God),  16  I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.  17  [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him,  18  By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones),  19  And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength,  20  Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places],  21  Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come.  22  And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church], [Ps. 8:6.]  23  Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].

Amen and amen! This is indeed a beautiful study.

In addition to the English meanings that you gave for the Hebrew words there is also "confidence" and "a place of refuge" that we can add to that. Our hope is indeed all of that and so much.

As we are told in the NT, Jesus Christ is our hope. (1Ti 1:1) All that is hoped for is in and through Him. It is the expectation (the waiting) for righteousness through Him by faith in Him. (Gal 5:5) It is the security and confidence that we have in the promises of God for eternal life. (Tit 1:2)


Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

ANOTHER AMEN!

Indeed, I found out that I barely scratched the surface on this rich word "HOPE". As it turned out, I partially researched one form of the word a "HOPE".

You are completely correct that JESUS CHRIST is called the HOPE, our HOPE, the HOPE of the world, and HE is a living HOPE. The beauty and depth of this word "HOPE" is beyond anything I imagined, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

As Christians, we can't lose our HOPE because we are already Eternal possessions of JESUS CHRIST, and the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD already lives in our hearts. We can suffer many things and lose many things in this short life, but HOPE can't be taken from us or out of us. Now, contrast this with the lost and think about how pitiful it would be to be a man or woman without HOPE. There is a fascinating and continuous thread of HOPE in GOD'S WORD that never ends because the author of HOPE is ETERNAL and LIVES. We can read about countless examples of HOPE throughout GOD'S WORD in the lives of HIS Children and how the REALITY of HOPE impacted them. YES, HOPE does relate to CONFIDENCE, SAFETY, REFUGE, SECURITY, and much more.

Brothers and Sisters, I can assure you this is a beautiful Bible Study. First, it's timely for the days that we live in. Second, we need to examine often our HOPE because it is the core of our lives. JESUS CHRIST is our LIVING HOPE, and we LIVE because HE LIVES. HE LIVES in us and we LIVE in HIM. This beautiful TRUTH overshadows and overwhelms all the trials and difficulties of this short life. In fact, our troubles many times makes our HOPE stronger. As Christians, our LIVING HOPE has defeated the death of our corruptible and temporary body. It will be left behind and replaced with a Glorified Body like the one JESUS CHRIST has.

One of the reasons why I wanted to study HOPE is because I knew it would involve a study of the PROMISES OF GOD. I haven't gotten that far yet, but I look forward to it. The PROMISES OF GOD are certainly a large part of our HOPE. If you are following along with this study, examine yourself to determine the basis for your HOPE and try to decide how strong your HOPE is. As Christians, we are NOT just human beings who are easily beaten and overwhelmed because GOD is with us and IN us. Our LIVING HOPE - JESUS CHRIST - makes us a formidable foe of the devil. Alone, we are weak - BUT we are NEVER ALONE or apart from GOD. We must continually remember that the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD lives in our hearts, and we are already members of THE BODY OF CHRIST! SO, WHAT IS OUR HOPE, AND HOW STRONG IS IT? As Christians, we should know that our HOPE is GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, SO YOU TRY TO DESCRIBE HOW STRONG YOUR HOPE IS!

Please see the next post for more portions of Scripture to study. Please remember that this discussion is for everyone and we welcome your input. Share whatever you would like to:  thoughts on your heart, portions of Scripture, or HOW our LIVING HOPE has changed your life.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Ephesians 6:11-20 NIV  11  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  12  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  13  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  14  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  15  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  16  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  17  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  18  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.  19  Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,  20  for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Psalms 130:1-8 ASV  1  Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Jehovah.  2  Lord, hear my voice: Let thine ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications.  3  If thou, Jehovah, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?  4  But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared.  5  I wait for Jehovah, my soul doth wait, And in his word do I hope.  6  My soul waiteth for the Lord More than watchmen wait for the morning; Yea, more than watchmen for the morning.  7  O Israel, hope in Jehovah; For with Jehovah there is lovingkindness, And with him is plenteous redemption.  8  And he will redeem Israel From all his iniquities.

Romans 8:24-28 ASV  24  For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?  25  But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.  26  And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered;  27  and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  28  And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 10:14-15 ASV  14  For we stretch not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not unto you: for we came even as far as unto you in the gospel of Christ:  15  not glorying beyond our measure, that is, in other men's labors; but having hope that, as your faith groweth, we shall be magnified in you according to our province unto further abundance,

Philippians 1:19-20 ASV  19  For I know that this shall turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,  20  according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.

Acts 26:6-7 ASV  And now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers;  7  unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king!

Job 14:7 ASV  For there is hope of a tree, If it be cut down, that it will sprout again, And that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

Acts 2:26 ASV  Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope:

1 Corinthians 9:10 ASV  or saith he it assuredly for our sake? Yea, for our sake it was written: because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking.

Romans 5:2 ASV  through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 12:12 ASV  rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;

Ephesians 4:4-6 ASV  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;  5  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  6  one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 ASV  8  But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

2 Thessalonians 2:16 ASV  16  Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

Titus 1:2 ASV  in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;

Titus 3:7 ASV  that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Hebrews 3:6 ASV  but Christ as a son, over his house; whose house are we, if we hold fast our boldness and the glorying of our hope firm unto the end.

Hebrews 6:11 ASV  And we desire that each one of you may show the same diligence unto the fulness of hope even to the end:

1 Peter 1:3 ASV  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 3:15 ASV  but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:

Colossians 1:5 ASV  because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

Hebrews 6:18 ASV  that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us:

1 Timothy 1:1 ASV  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus our hope;

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 ASV  19  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?  20  For ye are our glory and our joy.

Brothers and Sisters, this is just a tiny sample. Follow the references in your Bible and explore many other passages of Scripture.

Brothers and Sisters,

I've been wanting to continue this thread and hopefully get others to join in. For Christians, this is a Precious Topic, one that we should think about often.

Let's talk about GRACE - part of a Christian's HOPE that has already been fulfilled. GOD has already kept this promise in many ways. After all, GOD'S GRACE and LOVE is what began drawing us to him when we were lost in our sins.

There are many beautiful ways to define GRACE, and all are most welcome to post various thoughts and definitions of GRACE. A simple definition of GRACE is undeserved favor or merit. It can involve a host of good things that a person hasn't earned and doesn't deserve.

Let's talk about the world first and ask if the world is known for GRACE. I think that most would say absolutely "NO". In fact, the world is known for the opposites - cheating, stealing, and even denying what a person has earned. Someone might be nice to you, but they many times have other reasons - their own motives. GRACE is really unknown for most people except from their immediate family and closest friends. Sadly, many people don't have much GRACE from their friends and family. Regardless, REAL GRACE or PURE GRACE only comes from GOD.

From mankind, it would be more accurate to say that you get what you pay for - and that's all - even if you get everything you paid for. How would we compare this to JESUS CHRIST dying on the CROSS for evil men? HE laid down HIS LIFE for people who hated HIM and rejected HIM. This would be an example of PURE GRACE - something the world doesn't have. GOD'S MOTIVE for the CROSS was to rescue mankind from the curse of sin and death. Those HE died for were NOT WORTHY or DESERVING of anything - MUCH LESS JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF taking their punishment on the CROSS. This is PURE GRACE because there is no other explanation. In contrast, the grace mankind shows to others is pitiful, selfish, and not even worthy of being called "grace".

Brothers and Sisters, I'm purposefully leaving lots of room for discussion and examples from GOD'S WORD. GOD CREATED us, and HE loves us. HE has shown this in countless ways even when we were lost. As Christians, we should know much more about GOD'S GRACE and LOVE than the lost because we have experienced it in many very personal ways. As an example, does GOD leave us when we disobey HIM or disappoint HIM? NO, HE has promised to never leave us or forsake us. In fact, HE has adopted us as HIS Children and given us a full inheritance. Do we earn or deserve anything that GOD gives us? NO - our righteousness is as filthy rags. Do we even properly THANK HIM for all that HE gives us? We should all know that the answer is NO.

Look for some examples in GOD'S WORD that apply directly to your own life - this short life. Is GOD your FRIEND? YES - HE is much closer than any other. you don't have a friend or family member who can compare to GOD. What does GOD'S WORD say about this, and how has HIS FULFILLED PROMISES impacted your life. Are you ever alone? NO - GOD is always with you. GOD has been with you continually since you accepted JESUS CHRIST as LORD and SAVIOUR.

Who cares about you and what happens to you? If you are blessed, you have some family members and friends who care about you - BUT do they care about you like GOD DOES? Have some of your friends and family deserted you or hurt you in a variety of ways? The answer to this question is more than likely "YES".


Let me give you a few examples and see if I can whet your appetite for this discussion:

1 - Do you need peace and know where to find it?

2 - Do you desire pardon to ease your conscience about all the bad things in your life? Is there are real PARDON that can be given, and where can you get it?

3 - Can you make ATONEMENT for your sins in a manner that they will be forgiven?

4 - Can you SANCTIFY yourselves and make yourselves Holy, Perfect, or Righteous?

5 - Can you make yourself fit for the inheritance GOD has waiting for HIS Children?

6 - Can you do good works and other good things to eventually earn your own Salvation?

7 - In times of trial and troubles, can you give yourself peace and comfort?

Brothers and Sisters, the list goes on and on. I'm hoping that many Christians will be interested in discussing this topic and sharing with others. Christians, now more than ever, need to know about and understand GOD'S Promises. Most of all, is this short life all there is? Have we reached the destination that GOD intends for us?

We could write a book about what GOD does for us and use beautiful portions of Scripture to explain things further. I think that the Scripture is what we need to back these things up, and I invite you to join in and share with everyone. I do want to post some Precious Portions of Scripture, but I want to give everyone a chance to join in. It's impossible for us to exhaust this topic, and the same thing could be mentioned several times with varying information.

Love In Christ,
Tom


Psalms 38:1-22 ASV  O Jehovah, rebuke me not in thy wrath; Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.  2  For thine arrows stick fast in me, And thy hand presseth me sore.  3  There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine indignation; Neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.  4  For mine iniquities are gone over my head: As a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.  5  My wounds are loathsome and corrupt, Because of my foolishness.  6  I am pained and bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.  7  For my loins are filled with burning; And there is no soundness in my flesh.  8  I am faint and sore bruised: I have groaned by reason of the disquietness of my heart.  9  Lord, all my desire is before thee; And my groaning is not hid from thee.  10  My heart throbbeth, my strength faileth me: As for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.  11  My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague; And my kinsmen stand afar off.  12  They also that seek after my life lay snares for me; And they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, And meditate deceits all the day long.  13  But I, as a deaf man, hear not; And I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.  14  Yea, I am as a man that heareth not, And in whose mouth are no reproofs.  15  For in thee, O Jehovah, do I hope: Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God.  16  For I said, Lest they rejoice over me: When my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.  17  For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me.  18  For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.  19  But mine enemies are lively, and are strong; And they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.  20  They also that render evil for good Are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.  21  Forsake me not, O Jehovah: O my God, be not far from me.  22  Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.

Brothers and Sisters,

I haven't forgotten about this study. I'm just delayed some with physical limitations. I hope to start posting portions of this study soon, and it doesn't matter to me how long or how much effort it will take. Besides, I'm doing the study mainly for myself. It gives me PEACE, increases my STRENGTH, and STRENGTHENS MY HOPE! Isn't this what Christians need most these days? YES!

I do want to give you a few portions of Scripture to look at, and they will give you a good idea about why I am enjoying this study so much:

2 Peter 1:4
Hebrews 10:23
Psalms 119:49
Isaiah 1:18
Deuteronomy 33:25
2 Corinthians 9:8
John 14:18
Luke 22:31, 32
Hosea 14:4
Philippians 1:6
Isaiah 40:31
Job 17:9
Revelation 1:18
Psalms 84:11
John 14:16
Romans 8:28
Psalms 25:10
Revelation 3:19
1 Peter 1:6
Matthew 12:20
John 6:37
John 14:27
Revelation 14:13
Galatians 6:9
Isaiah 60:20
Revelation 3:11
Zechariah 14:7
John 13:7
John 14:3
Hosea 2:19
1 Corinthians 15:53
Revelation 21:25
1 Peter 5:4
Revelation 21:3-5

Take a look and see if this might be good right now for your own PEACE AND STRENGTH IN CHRIST!

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ASV  19  Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own;  20  for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.


1 Corinthians 7:20-24 ASV  20  Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called.  21  Wast thou called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use it rather.  22  For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's bondservant.  23  Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men.  24  Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.

GOD'S PROMISES AND HOPE - PART 1
2 Peter 1:4
2-21-2009

Brothers and Sisters,

Here's part one on an interactive study. It's interactive because you will have to do some of the work for yourself. I plan to make varying lengths of comments on certain portions of Scripture and list some references and cross-references you can look up for yourself. In other words, you will determine for yourself how detailed this study will be for you.

I have decided to use two Bible Translations:  The American Standard Version and the New Living Translation - both excellent translations. The New Living Translation is easier to understand, but the American Standard Version is more accurate. I hope to keep the comments short and simple. If you want to do a more in depth study for yourself, please do so.

2 Peter 1:4 ASV  whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust.

2 Peter 1:4 NLT  And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature.

2 Peter 1:4 speaks volumes and is a great place to start this study. We must first remember that mankind was the ONLY creature that GOD made in HIS Image. This is an important point when thinking about the theory of evolution and other false teaching. Mankind didn't start out in a lower form and evolve upward - just the opposite. GOD'S Creation was perfect from the beginning, and man remained perfect until he disobeyed GOD and sinned. This is called the "Fall of Man" and many times the original sin that made an inheritance for all of mankind to follow - the curse of sin and death. GOD made mankind leave the beautiful and perfect abode of the Garden of Eden, and mankind lost many things that GOD fully intended to give freely.

Mankind inherits an evil and disobedient nature from the first man, Adam. Along with this cursed nature, man was to have trouble and suffer many things throughout a lifetime. Everyone should know this is not what GOD wanted or intended for mankind, but mankind did choose to disobey GOD. We read in GOD'S WORD that GOD has made provision for us to share in HIS divine nature, and that's what GOD intended from the beginning.

We can basically choose one of two masters in this short life - either the devil or GOD. If we accept JESUS CHRIST by faith, we will be choosing GOD, and GOD has given us this choice. This does not mean that we will be free of temptation, without sin, or holy - but it does mean that we desire GOD to be our MASTER and try to live in a way that will be pleasing to HIM. It also means that GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT will live in our hearts as a guide and comforter during this short life. Hopefully, our daily fellowship with GOD will grow, and GOD will start showing us more and more of HIS Riches and revealing HIS WILL for us in this short life. We will find out pretty quickly that the world has nothing to compare with the Riches of CHRIST, and our desire to serve HIM will grow stronger by the day.

We won't have any righteousness of our own, but GOD will see us in and through the Righteousness of CHRIST who died for us. In other words, all good things will be shared with us FROM CHRIST because we're IN CHRIST. Alone and apart from CHRIST, man will have nothing good or worthy and on his way to the fires of hell. GOD'S WORD clearly states that HE doesn't wish any man to perish in his sins, but that's up to each man or woman.

It would be nice for all to make comments as we proceed through this study, and I hope that you do. The more participation, the better, and we can share with each other as we study. Please see if you can determine what GOD wants us to have and how HE Promises to help us. Please use references to other portions of Scripture in this study. Your Bible or study program should give you many to choose from, and the addition of the references will make the material much easier to understand and enjoy. I'll start you off with a few references in each post, and you can build from there. Please feel free to share what you find with others.

References:

1 Corinthians 10:13
1 John 1:9
1 Peter 1:7; 1:19
1 Peter 2:4; 2:6; 2:7; 2:9; 2:21
1 Peter 3:4; 3:9
1 Peter 5:10
2 Corinthians 12:9
2 Peter 1:3
James 4:7
Jeremiah 31:34
John 17:3
Philippians 4:13
Psalms 50:15
Romans 6:14

I sincerely hope that many enjoy this study. I can already tell you that I am.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Jeremiah 31:34 ASV  and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith Jehovah: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.

Jeremiah 31:34 NLT  And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their family, saying, 'You should know the LORD.' For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will already know me," says the LORD. "And I will forgive their wickedness and will never again remember their sins."

What is the source of Christian hope?

At a time when people often have trouble finding reasons to hope, those who place their trust in the God of the Bible need more than ever to "give to anyone who asks an account of the hope that is in them" (1 Peter 3:15). They have to understand what is specific about the hope that comes from faith, in order to root their lives in it.

Even if by definition hope refers to the future, for the Bible it is rooted in the present, in God’s today. The source of hope is in God, God who simply loves us and can do nothing else, for God never stops seeking us."

In the Bible, this hope is often expressed by the notion of promise. When God enters into contact with human beings, generally this is accompanied by the promise of greater life. We already see this in the story of Abraham: "I will bless you," says God to Abraham, "and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed" (Genesis 12:2-3).

Paul’s is even clearer. "Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). Far from being a simple wish for the future with no guarantee that it will come about, a Christian hope is the presence of divine love in person, the Holy Spirit, a current of life that carries us to the fullness of of love from Jesus.

Biblical and Christian hope does not mean living in the clouds, dreaming of a better life. It is not merely a projection of what we would like to be or do. It leads us to discover seeds of a new world already present today, because of the identity of our God, because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This hope is, in addition, a source of energy to live differently, not according to the values of a society based on the thirst for possession and competition.

In the Bible, the divine promise does not ask us to sit down and wait passively for it to come about, as if by magic. Before speaking to Abraham about the fullness of life offered to him, God says, "Leave your country and your home for the land I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). To enter into God’s promise, Abraham is called to make of his life a pilgrimage, to undergo a new beginning.

For the first Christians, the clearest sign of this new world to come was the existence of communities made up of people of different backgrounds and languages.

Because of Christ, these tiny communities sprang up everywhere in the Mediterranean world. Going beyond the divisions of all sorts that kept people apart from one another, these men and women lived as brothers and sisters, as God’s family, praying together and sharing their possessions according to the needs of each person (Acts 2:42-47). They shrived to have "one and the same love, be united in spirit and focused on the same thing" (Philippians 2:2). In that way they shone out like points of light in the world (Philippians 2:15). From the very beginning, Christian hope kindled a fire on the earth.

The good news of the resurrection is not a way of taking our minds off the tasks of life here and now, but a call to set out on the road. "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? … Go into the entire world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation… You will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:11; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8).

Impelled by Christ, believers live in deep solidarity with humanity cut off from its roots in God. Writing to the Christians of Rome, Paul speaks of the longing of creation and compares this suffering to the pangs of childbirth. Then he continues, "We ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly" (Romans 8:18-23). Our faith is not a privilege that take us out of the world; we "groan" with the world, sharing its pain, but we live this situation in hope, knowing that, in Christ, "the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining" (1 John 2:8).

To me, this is hope................

AMEN DREAMWEAVER!

Brother Bob, you made some points that all Christians should think of often. It is true that many of our Promises pertain to what comes after this short physical life, but many of the Promises are given to us NOW. First, we have already obtained GRACE and LOVE from our CREATOR, and we realize that GRACE and LOVE more as we grow in the knowledge and strength of CHRIST. YES, we do have some trials and suffering in this short life, but we also have a JOY that can only come from belonging to CHRIST.

There are many reasons why Christians should be the happiest people on the face of the earth, even in this short life. Many of GOD'S Promises relate to our daily lives RIGHT NOW.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Romans 1:16-17 NLT  16  For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes-Jews first and also Gentiles.  17  This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."

Hebrews 12:1-8 NLT  1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.  2  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven.  3  Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up.  4  After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.  5  And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you.  6  For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children."  7  As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined?  8  If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all.

Romans 4:3-8 NLT  3  For the Scriptures tell us, "Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous."  4  When people work, their wages are not a gift. Workers earn what they receive.  5  But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work.  6  King David spoke of this, describing the happiness of an undeserving sinner who is declared to be righteous:  7  "Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight.  8  Yes, what joy for those whose sin is no longer counted against them by the Lord."

2 Corinthians 1:20-22 NLT  20  For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in him. That is why we say "Amen" when we give glory to God through Christ.  21  It is God who gives us, along with you, the ability to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us,  22  and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment of everything he will give us.

GOD'S PROMISES AND HOPE - PART 2 - Hebrews 10:23
2-22-2009

Hebrews 10:23 ASV  let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised:

Hebrews 10:23 NLT  Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Brothers and Sisters,

Understanding the significance of Hebrews 10:23 is beautiful when one understands the circumstances and the details of the times. This was a time of great persecution of the Jews and Christians, but much of Hebrews deals with Christians who were Jews and were being persecuted by their own people. Many of the Christian Jews had been disowned by their own families, so they had a double persecution that was too hard for many of them to deal with.

One needs to remember GOD'S WORD mentioning that the Jews require a SIGN, and this also has great significance for the time. Jews had a history of worshipping false gods because IT was something they could see. Jewish History indicates a continuing problem with the unseen and remaining faithful to the seen. One could look back at Old Testament history and see that GOD HIMSELF led Israel at a time and did MIGHTY Things for them, but the vast majority of the Jews were kept at a distance from GOD. Remember this because it's important as the study develops. GOD did provide Israel with many things that they could see, but it wasn't enough for the vast majority of Israel to remain faithful. Please also consider the LAW regarding the CLEAN and the UNCLEAN and death penalty offenses concerning things that only Levitical Priests could do. Especially remember the presence of the ARK and GOD residing within it.

Finally remember Jewish History where sacrifices and burnt offerings were required for sin. GOD tells us in HIS WORD that HE was never happy with these temporary payments for sin, and GOD HATES SIN. With these things in mind, can you imagine why GOD kept the people at a distance from HIM? The offerings and sacrifices were just minimums that didn't please GOD. At the same time, much of Israel continued in acts of disobedience, idol worship, and other things that GOD HATES. Those Jews who were considered to be devout in Israel were following the Law of Moses and practicing the traditions of offerings and sacrifice. Know that GOD called these things just a "SHADOW" of things to come. Please notice that proper sacrifices involved blood and life, but these things never made GOD happy. THE PERFECT AND HOLY JESUS CHRIST died on the CROSS for the sins of mankind, and HE was a PERFECT SACRIFICE who satisfied GOD completely. The "SHADOW" was replaced with the REALITY OF CHRIST and man was finally given a way to have a real and lasting PEACE WITH GOD. JESUS CHRIST was exactly who HE said that HE was, but we know that most of HIS OWN rejected HIM, even though they saw HIM and watched HIM perform great miracles. Many even accused JESUS of exercising the power of the devil, and that's the worst INSULT they could have given to their RIGHTFUL ANOINTED KING AND MESSIAH! It was HIS OWN who conspired to have HIM Crucified. Most of HIS OWN still rejected HIM after HE arose from the dead on the third day.

How faithful was JESUS CHRIST to HIS People? Did JESUS CHRIST keep ancient Promises that were revealed to the Prophets and taught? Many of these early Hebrew Christians were either very weak or weren't Christians at all. They were going back to their laws and traditions, even though they had never kept them. They were giving up the unseen for the seen, but the seen was really just a SHADOW. Regardless, they were being hunted and persecuted at the same time, so things were especially hard for Jewish Christians. They were giving up in large numbers, so one must wonder about how much faith - if any - they really had in JESUS CHRIST. Paul was attempting to encourage them with the TRUTH - the ONLY TRUTH.

Brothers and Sisters, how many ways could we consider a "Confession of Faith"? Could it represent a Promise to the ONE we are professing our faith in? HE who we believe in was FAITHFUL - even unto a cruel and insulting death that was supposed to be reserved for the worst criminals. Did HE keep HIS ancient PROMISES? How lightly or seriously should we take our Promises to HIM? HE has already laid down HIS Life for us and shown us a LOVE that the world doesn't know. Does CHRIST need to do more to prove who HE is and that HE keeps HIS Promises? NO! - HE has already shown PROOF of HIS Promises unto death, and we should know that HE keeps all of HIS Promises. Are we faithful or just paying lip-service? Did we mean our profession of faith before men? How about our profession of faith to GOD and our prayer for forgiveness?

Israel was unfaithful to GOD and broke their Promises to GOD, but GOD will still keep HIS Promises to Israel at HIS Appointed time. Please don't get confused between GOD'S Promises to Israel and GOD'S Promises to HIS CHURCH WHICH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST. Habakkuk 2:2-3 speaks of GOD'S Promises to Israel and the SECOND COMING OF CHRIST after the Tribulation Period. CHRIST'S CHURCH awaits the RAPTURE.

References:

1 Timothy 6:12-13
1 Corinthians 11
1 Corinthians 3:13
James 2:2
2 Thessalonians 2:1
1 John 2:18

Love In Christ,
Tom

Habakkuk 2:2-3 ASV  And Jehovah answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that readeth it.  3  For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hasteth toward the end, and shall not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 NLT  Then the LORD said to me, "Write my answer in large, clear letters on a tablet, so that a runner can read it and tell everyone else.  3  But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.

Brothers and Sisters,

I haven't forgotten about this study. I've simply been slowed down with some health problems. Today I'd like to share a portion of Scripture that describes the times prior to the Second Coming of CHRIST. This portion of Scripture leads into some other portions of Scripture that I would like to discuss soon. We should know that many horrible things are going to happen in this world and to this world in the coming Tribulation Period. Making a comparison between GOD'S Children and the world is definitely a part of this study, one that I look forward to AGAIN. I say "AGAIN" because I love to study about GOD'S Promises to HIS Children and have done so many times.

2 Timothy 3:1-17 ASV  But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come.  2  For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  3  without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,  4  traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;  5  holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.  6  For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts,  7  ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  8  And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth. Men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.  9  But they shall proceed no further. For their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be.  10  But thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,  11  persecutions, sufferings. What things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.  12  Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  13  But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.  14  But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.  15  And that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  16  Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.  17  That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.


For now, please let this portion of Scripture speak for itself with no commentary from anyone. It speaks volumes, and GOD tells us many things that HE wants us to know about the coming times. I personally believe that the CHURCH WHICH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST will be RAPTURED before the beginning of the Tribulation Period, but that isn't a matter for argument in this study. Great hosts of people will be saved DURING the Tribulation Period, and they will face great suffering and persecution. We who are already SAVED right now have PROMISES from GOD that we need to know about, study, and give thanks for.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Revelation 7:1-4 NIV  1  After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.  2  Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea:  3  "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."  4  Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.