Jesus Christ is your savior, my savior, and the savior of all mankind!
So what does it mean to hope in him?
Titus 2:11-14 (WEB),
11) For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12) instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; 13) looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14) who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.
Christ is returning and Christians are waiting for this blessed hope. Yet most of mankind is not waiting or ready and thus has no hope!
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (WEB) says,
13) But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
This passage speaks of hope, yet some truths offer no hope. For example, there is no hope for the unredeemed. If sin is not paid for, sinners can have no hope of salvation, ever. There appears to be no hope for Satan and his demons because apparently their sins are not paid for according to Hebrews 2:16. However, the passage above teaches us that Christians can have great hope because we believe and know that God will resurrect the Christians who have already died.
Now this passage also says that, "like the rest, who have no hope." Does this mean that unbelievers will never ever have hope? Certainly not! The passage is speaking about the "hope" that we live by through faith. Both the believing and unbelieving redeemed have a glorious eternal destiny waiting for them. Jesus redeemed, paid the sin debt, for all mankind while we were yet his enemies! Believers have received this hope and live by it. However, unbelievers refuse to repent of their self-righteousness and believe that their sins are paid for and so they do not live by this hope. They choose the hard road even though their sins are fully paid.
Christians eagerly await the return of Christ because we know that Jesus loves mankind dearly. Unbelievers, however, shrink back at the thought of facing the Lord of the Universe. Just like Adam and Eve hid in the garden, they hide behind false religion, atheism, and agnosticism. Yet Jesus will return for his people!
Jesus promised in John 14:1-3,
1) Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. 2) In my Father's house are many homes. If it weren't so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. 3) If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.
The angels also promised in Acts 1:10-11 (WEB),
10) While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, 11) who also said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky."
The point is that our lover, Jesus Christ, is currently away, but he is returning and has told us many things about his future plans to "make his enemies a footstool" and to return for his bride, the church, and to consummate eternity with the final salvation of all mankind. Biblical Christianity offers great hope! Do not settle for anything less!
Hope in Christ is not a wish but a confidence that Jesus Christ will reveal his salvation to all mankind in time. Hope in Jesus!
