Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children.[a] The reason the world doesn’t recognize who we are is that they didn’t recognize him. And all who focus their hope on him will always be purifying[a] themselves,[b] just as Jesus is pure. 1 John 3:1, 3
We talk about hope often, I hope I get the job, I hope it doesn’t rain, I hope I don’t get sick. etc. today’s definition of hope is more like a wish, something we want with no assurance that we’ll ever get it. But is that the hope of the Bible? A look at the Greek word for hope, would tell us no. So what then does it mean when we read or hear about hope in the Scriptures?
The Biblical definition is the absolute assurance of future good found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It isn’t a wish, it is an absolute, because this kind of hope is only found in the finished work of Jesus. That’s why we can be so confident in our hope, because it’s not in something, but a someone! And His name is Jesus! And that is why Romans 5:5 tells us this kind of hope doesn’t disappoint.
Over the next week we will be learning more about this kind of hope and how we can see it in how Jesus lived on earth and why He was such a powerful force that transformed people, that transformed the world through another word we don’t know the true definition of anymore either, meekness.
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