“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doeth he yet hope for? Hope has been described by one person as, “desire plus expectation.” There are some things that we desire and we expect them in the conclusion.
Salvation from our sins is one of those things that we desire. The sins we have committed separate us from God. “Behold the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy that he cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2). Because “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
God has thus spent time to offer us salvation. “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love” (Ephesians 1:4).
It cost God quite a bit for this salvation. “Who would have all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1Timothy 2:4). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Understand that having fellowship with God is a thing that is greatly to be desired. Adam and Eve had this kind of fellowship and lost it do to sin. God has provided a way that man can be reconciled back to God and enjoy this fellowship with God again. This then is to be great desired.
We can expect this fellowship again because God has promised if we obey Him we will again enjoy this fellowship. “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Thus we have hope!
Heaven is another one of those things that is greatly to be desired. Heaven is described for us in many ways; notice what John says, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4) Jesus said of heaven, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3). Heaven is a beautiful place, one that can not be described by the words of men. The words that we do have to describe heaven show us that it is a place to be greatly desired.
God is offering us eternal life. “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1 John 2:25). “And this is the record, that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in his son” (1 John 5:11). This eternal life is for those that obey Him. “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:8-9). Because God is offering us eternal salvation and God does not break his promises we can expect heaven. Notice the confidence that Paul had and thus we can have this same confidence, “For which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (1 Timothy 1:12). We can desire heaven and salvation; we can expect salvation and heaven thus we have hope! Don’t give up hope!
Love, Keith
