Hope and Faith

I will start with the book of Titus. To get the most out of my comments you have to read Titus 1:1-4.

Hope and Faith is more than a title of a sitcom on T.V. Do you know the difference between hope and faith? Some people use these words interchangeably, but that would not be correct.

Hope is a feeling that what is desired will happen. It is an expectation for the future. Like heaven or Jesus' return.

Faith is an unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence. It is knowing without a doubt that something happened in the past even if you did not see it. Like creation or the virgin becoming 'with child' or salvation.

It gives me great peace to know the hope I have for my eternal future will come to those who love the Lord. God promised it and God does not lie. Hope is the foundation faith and knowledge rests on (vs. 2). I would have no reason for faith if I had no hope of eternal life. I would not desire knowledge of Jesus Christ if I had no hope that it would help me live in eternity. I have faith and continuing knowledge in Jesus Christ because I hope in the eternal life God promised.

My hope is based on the fact that God keeps His promises. Heaven, my eternal home, is a promise I am anticipating with excitement. Between now and when I see heaven , I have been entrusted with knowledge that God does not expect me to keep to myself--God does not want me to keep secrets. I want to extend the light of God's word to diminish darkness in this materialistic, selfish world.

The knowledge of Jesus Christ should motivate our every action. Let us hope in living with Him in eternity (future) as we have faith in the salvation he provided on the cross long ago (past). Then let us desire knowledge (present) about him daily and allow Jesus to be seen in our actions.

Prayer

Lord, guide me to a stronger, unwavering faith in you. Help my knowledge of Jesus Christ increase daily and be the motive behind all my actions. Sustain my hope and protect it from the enemy. If my hope waivers, my faith will follow. If my hope is supported so is my faith. Help me walk with the Spirit so my hope never looses its grip on me. No matter my circumstances, bind the hope of heaven to me. May I never loose the anticipation of seeing my Savior.

Consider

Do you know anyone who does not have faith in Jesus Christ or who does not want to know about Him? I bet that person has no hope of eternal life (Jesus could never love me) or even worse, they believe that being a 'good' person without Jesus is good enough for eternal life. You cannot hope for eternity and leave Jesus Christ out. That is impossible. Jesus Christ is the way to eternity. Follow our instruction book, the Bible, it is clear on that point: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Pray for those who do not know Christ Jesus to have the desire to start a relationship with Him. Ask God to use you to touch some one's life.

Further Study

HOPE: Romans 8:22-25; Romans 15:4; Hebrews 3:6;

FAITH: Hebrews 11:1; Romans 3:21; Romans 10:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Philemon :6

God bless you until we meet again.