Jesus Is Our Living Hope in Times of Testing

Summary

Followers of Jesus will face trials, but suffering is temporary. Our living hope comes from God choosing us, making us more like Jesus, and securing an eternal inheritance that cannot fade. The Holy Spirit is our guarantee now, while glory, eternal life, and Christ’s Kingdom await us. Trials test and strengthen genuine faith, proving its worth. Because God keeps our salvation and us for it, we can endure hardship with confidence and joy.

Persecution Is Nothing New

People without hope quit. Darkness swallows them alive. 1 Peter provides hope when our faith is severely tested.

Some first-century Christians were beaten (Acts 16:16-40). Some were stoned to death (Acts 8:54-60). Some were jailed and executed (Acts 12:1-5). Many became lion chow. 

Despite their afflictions, living hope sustained them, and they did not deny their faith. Like them, we will inevitably experience persecution if we seek to live godly in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:12).

Hope Rooted in God’s Choice

Our hope in times of testing springs from God’s choosing us according to His foreknowledge (1 Peter 1:1-2). He chose us before we chose Him (Ephesians 1:4).

Strangers in the World

I do not understand it. But for God to save us, He must choose us, and we must choose Him.

God chooses us to become like Jesus. Nothing can derail that purpose. As we surrender to it, we will be strangers in this world.

We must not march to the beat of the world’s drums. The lives of those who are not following Jesus run on a different track. Do not worry if the world does not consider you sophisticated and cool. Be concerned if it does.

New Birth Brings Living Hope

We experience living hope when we respond in faith and obedience to God’s word about Jesus’ resurrection. That commitment gives us meaning and direction today and a reserved inheritance in heaven.

A Guaranteed Eternal Inheritance

Death, sin, and the passing of time cannot affect that inheritance. All the world’s financial wizards cannot add up its glories. It includes eternal life (Mark 10:12), glory with Christ (Romans 8:17), immortality (1 Corinthians 15:50), the Kingdom of Christ (Ephesians 5:5), and salvation (Hebrews 1:14).

In short, we become like Jesus. God’s down payment of our inheritance is the Holy Spirit to make us more like Jesus in the here and now.

Kept by God for Glory

God keeps our salvation for us, and us for it. It begins when we receive Christ as our Forgiver and Leader. Fully experiencing it awaits the coming Judgment Day of Christ. God guards and protects our inheritance until we become like Jesus.

Trials Strengthen Faith

That is why we can smile through trials that surround us like an army. Satan’s kingdom is like a volleyball. The harder we press it, the harder it presses back.

Trials are inevitable for “pressing” believers. But they are not forever. God allows them to produce within us a persevering, hang on no matter what faith. Such trials separate genuine faith from mere profession. Our faith is like a tea bag. Hot water reveals its character.

Jesus Is Our Living Hope

Trials are temporary, but our reward is eternal. God is keeping it for us and us for it. Nothing can separate us from it. That is what those with a living hope confidently expect.

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