What Is The Hope Of A Christian?
Everyone talks of hope these days. But all other hope is pointless if it does not point to the cross. Every other hope apart from the hope we have received is temporary and fades away. The sinful man puts his hope in his abilities and intellect. Yet, he is left unsatisfied as soon as he realises his limitations as a human and the reality of the chaos around him.
A Christian's hope isn't temporary. It does not die with him. It lives on forever.
His hope is like an anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19). When docked, anchors provide:
STABILITY
Keeps the ship from moving while at rest. Hope in Christ keeps our soul in godly rest and peace. Our emotions feel secure and not overwhelmed. We do not get triggered by what others say or do.
SAFETY
Prevents collisions or grounding during stops. Our emotions are protected by God's nourishing Word and Spirit. Likewise, praying in tongues keeps our spirit and soul covered.
POSITION HOLDING
Helps maintain a fixed location for activities like fishing or waiting to dock. Our choices are clear as we remain rooted and grounded on the promises of God.
When we wait in the Lord, His Spirit keeps us stable, safe and fixed in Jesus.
ETERNAL HOPE, NEVER FADING
The New Testament Church's hope is founded on the precious blood of Jesus. It leads us through the veil that enters into the most holy place — the holy presence of God.
To put it in context, in the Old Testament, God gave instructions to Moses concerning the high priest's role when he enters the most holy place (Leviticus 16).
Only the high priest had access
He had limited access; he could not enter whenever he chose
Instructions regarding clothing and purity offerings needed to be followed
Aaron, the high priest, had to offer a sin offering for himself first
In the New Testament, when Jesus died, the veil was torn in the temple (Mark 15:37-39). It marked the finished work of the perfect sacrifice acceptable to God for our sins. The repeated Old Testament sacrifices of bulls and rams were insufficient to fully please God. So He sent Jesus as the perfect sacrifice once and for all.
Every believer has access by the blood of Jesus
Full access with no more fleshly rituals
Jesus became our garment of righteousness, holiness, etc.
No more fallible priests required to process us through, because Jesus is our high priest consecrated forever (Hebrews 7:19, 22-28)
Dear saint, you are not living a hopeless life or a life of temporary hope, but an eternal hope guaranteed by the Holy Spirit as you daily renew yourself in surrender to Jesus, our eternal High Priest.
Maranatha, Praise God, and Amen.
