Christians have more than one hope.
We hope for the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:6; 24:15).
We hope in God’s promises (Acts 26:6).
We hope to share the glory of God (Romans 5:2).
We hope that the creation will be freed from decay (Romans 8:20).
We hope in our share of blessings here on earth (I Corinthians 9:10).
We hope for rescue (2 Corinthians 1:10).
We hope in heaven (Colossians 1:5).
We hope for grace (1 Peter 1:13).
Yet the root of all hopes, and the sum of them, is Jesus Christ.
"The root of Jesse shall come,
the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles shall hope."
Romans 15:12
In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:11-12
We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope …
1 Timothy 1:1
For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
1 Timothy 4:10
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Titus 2:11-13
Without Christ, no hope is adequate. To act as if we were hopeless is to deny Christ and the hope that abides in him. To have Christ is to have hope. To live in that hope is to find the power to face life as it confronts us.
Choose hope.
Blessings,
Ron
All scriptures are NRSV.
