August 13th 2017
Your Hope For Tomorrow Should Overflow Today!
1 Peter 3:14-15 (NIV)
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Last week the VOW was centered on faith, this week the commentary is concerned with hope! Without faith it is impossible to have hope, thus these two virtues are inseparable. It is important to note here that neither faith nor hope offer salvation. Until a person has salvation they cannot truly have hope, because hope must be based on something that cannot be seen. Having faith in itself cannot save you, as your faith could be invested in a thing or a wrong person. If your faith is pointed at a person other than Jesus, then you do not have salvation, as an example!
We can only have hope once we have placed our immortal soul in the hands of Jesus. Paul gives us a good description of this in Romans, where he points out how our hope being placed in Jesus for our salvation results in us expecting something yet to come. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:24-25) We are able to wait patiently for the fruits of our salvation, because that is where we invest our hope!
The writer of Hebrews gives us another angle on having hope for our future, once we have accepted that Jesus does offer us salvation. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) Here faith allows us to have hope, because we believe the promises Jesus has made about eternal life. Our faith is being invested in the only man who ever lived, who offers salvation to all who believe He is who He says He is! Once you know your future is secure, then you can have hope for tomorrow.
Anyone who has their hope based on the things of this world or other people will eventually become disappointed. Things wear out and people sometimes disappoint and eventually they die. If you are not sure about tomorrow, how can you have hope, even for today? Luke the writer of Acts, gives us some assurance about God’s plan for those who believe and follow His Son. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. (Acts 2:26-27) Believe it; your soul will be raised from the dead, just as Jesus’ was!
Sometimes we take our salvation for granted, and just proceed through life in a humdrum way. Do you remember when you first knew you were born again? Maybe some of you will remember the day of your baptism! You should maintain that wonderful feeling, and exhibit it every day! Paul tried to get this point over to the people of the church in Rome. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:11-12) Are you patient in affliction? Are you patient, at all?
The selected verses end with this line, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Do you have hope for tomorrow? If you really believe you have been born again, you must always be ready, “to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Your hope is for tomorrow, which equates to always having a good day today.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13) Do you ever overflow with hope? If not, Why not? Your salvation is guaranteed! You will live with God forever! How could you not overflow with hope?
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1 Peter 3:14-15 (NIV)
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Last week the VOW was centered on faith, this week the commentary is concerned with hope! Without faith it is impossible to have hope, thus these two virtues are inseparable. It is important to note here that neither faith nor hope offer salvation. Until a person has salvation they cannot truly have hope, because hope must be based on something that cannot be seen. Having faith in itself cannot save you, as your faith could be invested in a thing or a wrong person. If your faith is pointed at a person other than Jesus, then you do not have salvation, as an example!
We can only have hope once we have placed our immortal soul in the hands of Jesus. Paul gives us a good description of this in Romans, where he points out how our hope being placed in Jesus for our salvation results in us expecting something yet to come. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:24-25) We are able to wait patiently for the fruits of our salvation, because that is where we invest our hope!
The writer of Hebrews gives us another angle on having hope for our future, once we have accepted that Jesus does offer us salvation. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) Here faith allows us to have hope, because we believe the promises Jesus has made about eternal life. Our faith is being invested in the only man who ever lived, who offers salvation to all who believe He is who He says He is! Once you know your future is secure, then you can have hope for tomorrow.
Anyone who has their hope based on the things of this world or other people will eventually become disappointed. Things wear out and people sometimes disappoint and eventually they die. If you are not sure about tomorrow, how can you have hope, even for today? Luke the writer of Acts, gives us some assurance about God’s plan for those who believe and follow His Son. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. (Acts 2:26-27) Believe it; your soul will be raised from the dead, just as Jesus’ was!
Sometimes we take our salvation for granted, and just proceed through life in a humdrum way. Do you remember when you first knew you were born again? Maybe some of you will remember the day of your baptism! You should maintain that wonderful feeling, and exhibit it every day! Paul tried to get this point over to the people of the church in Rome. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:11-12) Are you patient in affliction? Are you patient, at all?
The selected verses end with this line, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Do you have hope for tomorrow? If you really believe you have been born again, you must always be ready, “to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Your hope is for tomorrow, which equates to always having a good day today.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13) Do you ever overflow with hope? If not, Why not? Your salvation is guaranteed! You will live with God forever! How could you not overflow with hope?
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak