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ROMANS 8:24 NASB 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees?
When the word "hope" was used in the New Testament, it meant something different than the word "hope" as we use it today. Today when we use the word "hope" we usually mean something which is only a desire or a wish -- not something we are actually expecting.
Most Bible teaching on faith and hope uses this modern meaning of hope, instead of the Bible meaning. And that has made it difficult for us to understand the Bible teaching on hope and faith.
In the New Testament the word hope means "a positive expectation." It is a positive image of what we actually expect in the future. Hope always deals with the future, never the past.
Because what we hope for is always in the future, that means it cannot be seen yet. Remember, Romans 8:24 says, "hope that is seen is not hope."
The only way humans can "see" anything that has not yet happened is by using our imagination. So there is no possibility of Bible hope without involving our imagination. To hope, we must use our imagination.
Fear is actually the opposite of Bible hope. Bible hope is a positive expectation based on and supported by a belief in God's Word. Fear is a negative expectation based on and supported by a belief in something bad. Both involve the imagination, the seeing part of our thinking, the ability to visualize something before it happens.
Faith in God produces Bible hope – expecting good to happen. Faith in bad things produces fear – expecting bad to happen. Faith is the support, the foundation, the underlying thing under both hope and fear.
You cannot have hope (which is a positive vision of what you expect) without faith (which is a choice to believe) in something. You cannot have fear (which is a negative vision of what you expect) without faith (which is a choice to believe) in something bad.
Our beliefs are the foundation, the solid footing which support our hopes or fears, and enable them to exist. So when your beliefs change, your hopes and fears will also change.
All your beliefs are a choice you made at some point in time, allowing them to become part of your belief system, which provides the basis for your hopes or your fears.
Many think Bible faith is an attitude, outlook, or state. But those describe Bible hope. Faith is primarily a decision, based on evidence we judge worthy of being acted upon.
A literal meaning of Hebrews 11:1 is "Faith (in God) is the support for our hoping, a refutation of things, not coming from the senses." (Hebrews 11:1 does not give a definition of faith, although it seems like it in our English translations. It simply tells us something faith does, which is to give support for our positive expectation of the future.)
So our faith in God undergirds our hope. The foundation upon which our hope rests is faith in God. We expect (and imagine, of necessity) good things to happen because of our faith in God.
SAY THIS: Bible hope is a positive expectation based on a decision to accept God's Word as truth.
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THE WORD OF GOD WORLD OUTREACH
You Must Ask for Eternal Life... Matthew 21:22 - And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive. John 16:24 - Here to have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy…
ContinueCreated by Bishop Dr. Joshua Smith Oct 18, 2011 at 3:47am. Last updated by Bishop Dr. Joshua Smith Mar 21, 2014.
In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
Peter, the great apostle, is calling us to be ready and able to tell folks about the hope that Jesus has brought into our lives. This must be an "always readiness" because we don't know when the opportunity to share our hope may come our way. Two things are incredibly important as we share this hope:
Holy and Loving Father, thank you for speaking your grace into my heart through the gift of Jesus. I'm not sure I would have heard any other message. Please give me the conviction to share my hope in Jesus passionately, yet in ways that reflect your grace, patience, and kindness. Through Jesus, my Living Hope, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.God has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
"Before the beginning of time!"
How do you understand when that was? God first thought of us at a time we cannot even begin to imagine. His reason for thinking of us was to demonstrate his kindness, grace, and call in our lives and to bring others to his side. Jesus has always been God's plan, and we have always been his goal for that. Let's make sure we respond by living his holy life in our day-to-day world.
Thank you so much, Father, for knowing me and thinking of my needs even before there was a world. I dedicate this day and every day that follows to your honor as I seek to live a life that reflects your righteousness, holiness, mercy, and grace. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
We have been comforted by God the Spirit, our Advocate, Comforter, and Helper, who lives in us (John 14:18, 26-27). Now, we should be able to comfort others. God doesn't bless us with his presence and the comfort of his Spirit just because we are somehow better than everyone else. No, he comforts us to equip, empower, encourage, and comfort others. God has human hands, but they only work when our hands are used for his glory and to comfort others.
Tender Shepherd, there have been times when I was so broken I could not go on. I know my strength to continue in those times came from your rich grace and mercy. Please use me this week to offer your comfort and love, your rich grace and mercy, to others so they may feel your warm embrace and come to yearn for the day we all see you face to face in glory. Until that day, may I be a vessel of your comfort and grace for those who are struggling with sorrow, grief, and loss. Through my brother Jesus (Hebrews 2:10-12; Romans 8:15-17), I pray for this grace. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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