But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. ^{1 Peter 3:15}

What is Our Hope?

Our hope is that the good news of Jesus Christ is true. Our hope is that lives spent in obedience and gratitude are not in vain. Our hope is that the promises from God are true and will be kept.

The Reason of Our Hope

We have hope because we believe what the word of God tells us. We are told there is life beyond our mortal existence and that our death is not the end. We are told there is purpose and meaning to our lives, and we do not live in vain. We are told that God is in control and all things happen for our ultimate benefit. We are told we will escape the coming wrath of God and will spend eternity in paradise if we submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ. We are told that we are his children, protected by him, awaiting our imperishable, unspoiled, and eternal inheritance. We have hope because we have faith that we are headed to heaven, not hell.  

The Origin of Our Hope

Our hope is from God. Many hear the word, and it means nothing to them. Those whose hearts are receptive hear and believe when prodded by the Holy Spirit. A hard heart today may be soft tomorrow, so we pray that the lost find Christ.

Confidence in Our Hope

The confidence and conviction that our faith is perfectly placed deepens as we live in the word of God. Walking in agreement with his will, we experience his loving kindness and enjoy peace, even in adversity. We see his undeniable presence in our lives and experience success as we strive to overcome the world. Abiding in the word of God matures us to an enduring and unshakeable faith that evokes a confident and sure hope, free from doubt or reservation. In this, our perfected hope, we greatly rejoice!     

Our Hope Realized

Our hope becomes reality when we are finally in the presence of Jesus. It is then that we will be overwhelmed with inexpressible joy and gratitude; it is then that all doubts are proven ridiculous. But those who appear before God without Christ find a different reality. They will face judgment against a standard of perfect righteousness. Without Christ, relying on the merit of what good there was in their lives, they will spend eternity in the lonely darkness of Hell, enduring agony, torment, anguish, and regret forever. There is no hope for those who have chosen to live without Christ.