The Hope Of Glory

"And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight; if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister . . . To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27, KJV)

Devotion 1 of 6

INTRODUCTION

We are living in the "here and now" generation. Religious relevance is thought to be determined by its impact upon temporal life. The contemporary church has become issue-oriented. For this reason, the "hope of glory" is no longer pertinent to those accepting such an emphasis. However, and make no mistake about it, this mentality does not reflect the mind of God. God did not inaugurate this "great salvation" to stabilize us in "this present evil world" (Gal. 1:4). Jesus did not come to make us secure in the world God has determined to burn up (II Pet. 3:12-12). Our Lord did not lay down His life on earth so that we might take up our life on earth. An emphasis on this world produces spiritual shortsightedness. It constrains individuals to "forget" that they were "purged from their old sins" (2 Peter 1:9). It neutralizes all efforts to live "soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age" (Tit. 2:12, NKJV). We are certainly for human rights, the sanctity of the family, and social equity. BUT THESE EMPHASES WILL NOT SUSTAIN THE SOUL! They will not equip the believer for heaven, nullify the lust of the flesh, or promote purity of heart. They are good, but not good enough! They do have a powerful impact upon mankind, but not powerful enough. None of them require a God in heaven, the remission of sins, an interceding Savior, or an indwelling Spirit.

DEFINING HOPE

In God's kingdom, "HOPE" is a powerful word. It reflects certainty, not uncertainty. It exercises a moral influence upon all who possess it (1 John 3:3). "Hope" has to do with the identity of ones self with the glory that is to come. It perceives ones name as being written in heaven. It speaks of confidence and assurance. It is faith in its forward posture. Spiritual hope stands in contrast to worldly, or fleshly, hope. It is written of our father Abraham: " . . . who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, 'So shall your descendants be" (Romans 4:18). By this, the Spirit means there was no apparent reason for Abraham to believe God. Nature did not support the promise, and circumstances contradicted it. But Abraham believed God anyway, and proceeded accordingly. His eye was set on the future, not on the present. Hope secures a blessed future. It produces rejoicing in those possessing it. Thus is it written, "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" (Romans 5:1-2, NKJV). The prospect of participating in the reign of Christ causes one to rejoice. It matters little to such an one that life on earth is difficult. Hope holds on to the words of the Lord Jesus, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Hope is assurance of a place in heaven. It is confidence that where Jesus is, there we will be also. It is the certain persuasion that God is working all things together for our good (Rom. 8:28). PRAYER POINT: Father, fill me with all joy and peace in believing, that I may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

-- TOMORROW: THE ROLE OF HOPE --