There's reason for hope!

I am continuing today with an examination of Romans 12 and how it teaches us to behave as a Christian.  Verse 12 gives three actions or attitudes consistent with the Christlike life.  Let's briefly look at the first.  Paul exhorts the reader to live rejoicing in hope.

Hope is such a precious possession.  To live without hope must be the most pitiful existence.  My mother had a severe stroke over four years ago.  She has had to live in a nursing home ever since dragging herself around in a wheelchair by one foot due to a paralyzed right side, unable to speak or read because that portion of her brain which allows for such activity was obviously damaged severely by the stroke.  After all this time it is evident that there is no hope for recovery.  And yet there is hope, and that is what calls for rejoicing.

In 1 Peter 3:15 the former fisherman who was chosen by Jesus to give leadership to the Apostles was writing to a group of Christians dispersed by intense persecution, and he says: always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.  What is that "defense" which explains why there is hope?  It is simple . . . I believe that Jesus Christ, God in the flesh,  died on the cross of Calvary to atone for the sins of myself and all mankind, rose three days later from the grave proving His power over death and hell, ascended to heaven, and will return one day to take to heaven all who have believed to live with Him eternally.  My hope lies in that promise!

Some would say that this hope is based upon foolishness.  The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth in his first epistle (letter):  For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God . . . God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:18, 21b).  It is so tragic that most of the world has no real hope about what will happen to them when they draw their last breath.  Then, there are those who hope to return as a cow or a tree or simply a wisp of wind.  Only Christianity offers the hope of eternal life based upon the merciful and gracious act of a holy God!

Is that your hope?  If not, it can be yours by simply trusting that Christ alone is our reason for hope, and receiving the gift of eternal life which He freely offers.  Do this and know the joy that comes through possessing true hope!