January 5, 2009

That You May Have Hope

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NKJV)

Paul prays that the Romans would be filled with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. The result of such hope is joy and peace. Knowing that heaven awaits you, that Christ awaits you is the only true joy one can have. Everything else that brings joy is temporary. Only Christ can fill the void created by sin.

When Adam sinned, he died spiritually. He severed his relationship with God and enmity was created between the two. Ever since that tragic day, man has been face with the uncertainty of his eternal destiny. In an effort to squelch the cry of their tortured souls, they have made false gods, gods of their own imagination.

Still, they cannot completely satisfy their pain. I have watched people die, and this is the hour that becomes most terrifying to them. When all hope of continuing in this world slips away, only the believer has joy and peace. It is a terrible thing to watch a person go into eternity fearing what awaits him. However, to see a saint anticipate the glory of God is truly encouraging.

We have nothing to fear. Paul said to die is gain. Therefore, the most important question to answer is this: do you know the Lord, or maybe better, does the Lord know you? Don’t wait until your last hours because hope grows through faith and experience. Paul talks about how faith and experience are part of this growth process in the following passage.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only [that], but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:1-5 NKJV)

My prayer for you is that you will not let one more day go by without being fully assured of your salvation. It could be you know all the facts, but still lack confidence. If this is the case, then you must wrestle with God until you have your peace. It may not come quickly. God may take you places you don’t wish to go. However, you must go where He leads. Don’t resist His will, but let go of your will. Take up your cross and follow Him. Amen.