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 6 of 6

THE POSTURE OF LOOKING

Hope is portrayed in Scripture as "looking." That is the posture of the believer. He is looking up, not down. His eyes are "lifted up," not cast down to the low plains of earth. We have been called to look! ". . . looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). It is just a "little while," and He will come, and will delay no longer. "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry" (Hebrews 10:37). Until Jesus comes, He is "expecting" -- anxious to come and receive us to Himself. Is it not in order for us to fellowship in this desire? As it is written, "But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool" (Heb 10:13-14). Peter puts it even stronger, emphasizing the earnestness of our expectation. "looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless" (2 Peter 3:12-14). The anticipation of Christ's return and the attendant dismissal of the natural order, is a dominating expectancy. We have not only turned from idols to serve the living God, but to "wait for His Son from heaven" (1 Thess 1:9-10). There is no reason why you cannot be dominated by hope -- saving, rejoicing hope! The Gospel is a Gospel of hope (Col. 1:23). You have been called "in one of your calling" (Eph 4:4). The Lord can even "open the eyes of your understanding" so you will be able to "know what is the hope of His calling" (Eph 1:17-18). The Spirit will work with you, producing yearnings for glory, as well as a confidence of its coming reality. And "Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ" (2 Thess 3:5). PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank and praise you for the hope of glory. Faith has made me a stranger in this world, but my citizenship in heaven has given me a dominating and sanctifying hope.

--TOMORROW: New Series, INDWELT BY DEITY --