Our Hope is in Jesus

(1 Timothy 4:9-11 – Our Hope is in Jesus)

What is it that we as Christians are toiling towards? What is it that we strive for?

Surely it is the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ. We toil and strive that we may be saved so as to live with Him in eternity.

For this reason our hope is in Jesus. He is the source of all hope as it is only through knowing Jesus that we may be saved.

Toiling and Striving as our Hope is in Jesus

The walk we follow in Christ is a difficult walk at times. Yes, it is good to know that He is with us always and that we can trust in Him in all situations. But often we face difficulties as we walk in Christ.

There is the constant battle with sinfulness. We also struggle against the passions of human nature that lead to sinful ways. And there is the constant need to remember to keep our focus on Jesus at all times as our hope is in Jesus.

We need to expect that this is the case. Scripture tells us this:

13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Let us not also forget the information Paul gave as to the difficulty we face in our walk.

12 Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12-13)

When we put all of this together it is clear that this Christian walk will be difficult.

But it will also be worth it. That is why our hope is in Jesus.

Our hope is in Jesus

Before going any further, look at the scripture under review today.

9 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things. (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

We are prepared to toil and strive despite the difficulties we may face because our hope is in Jesus. It is because He has given us His great promises that He will not renege on, that we can willingly face the difficulties in this life.

Our hope is in Jesus because we know that with Him we have a future.

This is what hope is all about. Hope is not about something you can see. Hope is about the unseen and the things to come. This is what the scripture says.

24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:24-25)

Hope focuses on the future. Hope does not look at the problems of the past or the sufferings of the present. Instead, hope fills us so that we can look forward to “what will be” rather than the issues of “what is today.”

Does that mean to hope is all fantasy or “pie in the sky?”

No, it does not. Not when our hope is in Jesus and the living God who knows all and sees all.

Our hope is made stronger in spite of the hard days that come upon us, because we know that God is in control. We know that everything and anything that happens in this life does so because He planned it.

The Depth of God’s Love that shows why our Hope is in Jesus

Our life and death are in His hands. Our every waking and sleeping moment are in His hands. Consider the depth of His concern and regard for His people in this scripture.

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s will. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10:29-32)

Look at how much God loves His people? Consider how detailed are His plans when not even a single sparrow will die unless it is in accordance with God’s will.

And how much more does it prove our hope is in Jesus when we know that every hair on your head is numbered?

What incredible and amazing detail exists in God’s plan, especially for His people. And what a reason to hold fast our hope in Jesus.

Hope does not stand alone

Coming back to the “pie in the sky” comment earlier, our hopes are not unfounded or without good reason and solid foundations.

Hope in Jesus Christ is part of the broader picture that is incomplete without considering faith and love. We are told in 1 Corinthians 13:13 that, “So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Hope does not stand in isolation. Nor do faith or love. All three work together, intertwined and impossible to separate from one another as we walk in Christ. They work together in this way.

Love is WHAT we are aiming for; to be in the image of the love of God. Faith is HOW we will get there, by believing in the power of God who resurrected Jesus from the dead. And Hope is why we continue to follow Jesus and walk with Him to receive the promises of God.

This is why our hope is in Jesus. It is only by hoping in Jesus, with faith and the love of God that we will see Him. And it is only by hoping in Him that we will overcome this life and be prepared to live in the new life promised to those who find and walk the straight, narrow and hard way.

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