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Where There is Life There is Hope

 

Romans 5:1-5 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 

And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

Hope is one of the great words of the Christian faith. It is one word that the unsaved person cannot use, because the unsaved do not have any hope (Ephesians 2:11-13). But the Christian has hope because he has life in Christ. 

We have hope because of salvation. We have been justified by faith, and we have access into the grace of God, and we rejoice in hope. We have a joyful hope in Christ. This hope is not a vague dream or hope so feeling; it is a divine certainty.  We learn in I Timothy 1:1 that Jesus Christ is our hope. 

But we also have hope through suffering. We read in Romans 5:3-4. “Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience, and experience, hope.” Suffering can make an unsaved person give up all hope; but when a Christian suffers, he rejoices in hope because he knows God is in control. Romans 8:17 informs us that to suffer with Christ means we shall also be glorified with Him.

The Christian also has hope because of the Scriptures. Romans 15:4 - For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. No book inspires hope and encouragement like the Bible. The Holy Spirit uses the Word to increase your hope. The Apostle Paul prayed in Romans 15:13, “….That ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

From – “Thoughts for Men on the Move,” by Warren Wiersbe