What is my living hope?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, having been kept in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 (LSB)

God gave the new birth as part of His provision in salvation. When a sinner comes to Christ and puts their faith in Him, they are born anew into God's family and receive a new nature and a living hope (eternal life) which...

1. Comes from God
Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! - Psalm 43:5 (NLT)

2. Is a gift of grace
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God Ephesians 2:8 (LSB)

3. Is defined by Scripture
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through the perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. - Romans 15:4 (LSB)

4. Is a reasonable reality
Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and fear - 1 Peter 3:15 (LSB)

5. Is secured by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?” - John 11:25-26 (LSB)

6. Is confirmed in the Christian by the Holy Spirit
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13 (LSB)

7. Defends the Christian against Satan’s attacks
But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. - 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (LSB)

8. Is confirmed through trials
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. - Romans 5:3-4 (NLT)

9. Produces joy
How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in Yahweh his God - Psalm 146:5 (LSB)

10. Is fulfilled in Christ's return
Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ - Titus 2:13 (LSB)

Oh Lord, my God
When I, in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration
And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art - Stewart Hine

Be Encouraged to fully appreciate your new nature and living hope.



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