Friday, January 25, 2019

Unseen Hope and Patience

Sallman


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

I had to consult Matthew Henry’s Commentary to better understand this passage.  Here’s what he tells us.

 “Our happiness is not in our present possession: We are saved by hope. Our reward is out of sight. Those that deal with God must deal upon trust. Faith respects the promise, hope the things promised. Faith is the evidence, hope the expectation of things not seen. Faith is the mother of hope. In hoping for this glory we need to have patience.” (1) (Emphasis is mine.)



Our reward is yet to come. First, we must have faith which looks to the promise. Hope expects the outcome we desire, what we are promised. We have to wait for God to do His work. We have to exercise patience.
Footnote:
1.       Matthew Henry’s Commentary in one volume, Zondervan Publish House (Regency)© 1961, page 1773.




Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Heirs Because of Hope

cecelialester-quiet spirit


But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. So that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7 (ESV)

Paul writes these words to Titus, a trusted and dependable co-worker. Titus traveled with him on journeys to Corinth, Jerusalem, and Crete. What he says speaks to the core of Christian belief.
 
God our Savior…saved us-He rescued us, selfish, puny little me and you.

According to his own mercy-He loves us so much that He chose to perform this act.

By the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit- He saved us by cleansing us, by giving us new growth and making us new in His sight.

So that being justified by his grace-God looks at us ‘just as if I’d not sinned.” He only sees the goodness He has implanted in our hearts.

We might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. His desire for us, His children, is that we become His and receive eternal life and spend our time with Him in our true home in heaven.






God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...