#230: Hope of Glory

And we rejoice in hope of the glory of God because through Christ, we have also obtained access by faith into His grace (Rom 5:2)

Quick Recap:

We began our study on biblical hope this month by identifying hope as a reservoir of strength to keep going rather than give up, This is usually a result of meditating on and esteeming God's faithfulness in past times and experiences as an assurance that He is consistent to His character and nature. Biblical hope transcends beyond material and physical realities. Our hope is not primarily for our well-being, but a strength to pull through even when our present life is at stake; because God is good and our hope is focused on eternity with Him.

Next, we saw how hope helped Salome, who was caught in adultery, to live a life worthy of her salvation. This is a testament to the fact that there is no hopeless situation from God's point of view. In other words, there is no circumstance that you can find yourself in that should make you feel that even God cannot solve it. Next, we saw how embracing hope helped Benjamin to pursue a godly marriage with Salome despite her nasty past. This is an encouragement to relationships and families and marriages that are on the verge of collapse because of hope deterred.

Today:

So, going forward from here, and by way of concluding the theme, we will look briefly at the most important aspect of our hope as believers - that we will share in the glory of God in eternity.

The Bible narrative begins in the garden of Eden where everything was perfect. But when sin entered into creation, everything that followed was chaos. The relationship that man had with God was grossly affected. Indeed, the rest of the scripture is about God working through time and in human circumstances to restore the Eden relationship. The crux of this divine plan brings us to the "Jesus moment" where God binds himself with humanity by becoming a man to pay the ultimate penalty of man's sin. When biblical authors thought about the salvation of mankind, it stirred in them a hope; a hope of [future] glory [with God as it was in the beginning].

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. (Col 1:24-28)

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:1-6)

In summary,

• The glory of God is very great
• Sharing in the glory of God is a sure hope in Christ
• The hope of the glory of God fills our hearts with exultation and joy

So how are we assured of this hope:

The big question becomes, what assurance do we have that we will share in this glory?

30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:30)

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14)

13 In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13&14)

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)

3 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, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials. (1 Peter 1:3-6)

1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began (Titus 1:1&2)

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:20&24)

So, my dear brothers and sisters, we can wait and know that the glory of God is our eternal portion. Therefore, rejoice in the beauty of this blessed hope that our redeemer will come and we will be with Him in glory.

Shalom