Our Hope Is Alive

1 Peter 1:3-7 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.”

Phillipians 1:6 “ And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

I love the hope found in these passages. As Christians we put our hope in Christ. We believe He died on behalf of us, and through Him our relationship with the Father has been restored. We believe through Him, one day all of Creation will be restored to its intended state. Everything will be made right. He will wipe away every tear, relieve all suffering, and justice will be served to all the Earth. When we are born again and decide to follow Christ, everything is not made right immediately, it is just the start. The Holy Spirit begins a work in us, transforming our hearts and minds to the likeness of Christ. This work continues our whole lives. It can be hard here and now because although Christ has started a great work, everything is not yet right. But it will be, and that is our hope. He who began a good work is faithful to see it finished. He who started a work in us is not going to let it slip away. We are His. Although we have not seen Him, we love Him. We believe in Him and we rejoice -not because life is easy and things are always good, but because they will be. One day Christ will be revealed to the whole Earth, we will watch as He takes His seat on the throne, and He will reign.

This is reason to rejoice now.

Things may be hard, but they are only momentary. We may cry tears because of our struggles, but one day He will personally wipe them all away. We may be in situations that are not fair, but we keep loving and striving to live for Him, because on the day He takes His throne justice will be served and all will be made right.

Don’t forget your hope. Don’t let your heart be discouraged. Keep living for Christ. Keep loving. Keep serving. Keep doing what is right even when you want to stop. Keep praising Him even when you don’t understand your situation. Your hope is alive, He is working, and one day all will be right.

Press on.