CONFIDENT HOPE

FRIDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2021

Our confident hope in Christ doesn't mean that Christians are feeling as though they would make it in life, or hoping to make it to heaven. This hope is an assurance that we have eternal life now and for this reason, we are going to enjoy what God has reserved for us in heaven, even as eternity begins.

Reference: Colossians 1:4-5 New Living Translation (NLT) "For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God's people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News."

Paul wrote this epistle known as "Pros Kolossaeis" to the saints and faithful brethren in Colosse. In Christ Jesus, we are designed to hope for what God has reserved for us in heaven because He assured us that He was going to come back for us (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ESV). Now why is this hope important? Its important because Jesus didn't say, "I won't come back" or "we will remain on earth forever", like we are now, rather He said in John 14:2-3 (NKJV), "In my Father's house are many mansions; if that were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

In this verse, John 14:3, the phrase, "I will come again", points to a future event, which means that our "confident hope" is required for this event and also for the mansion to come, for instance. Therefore, it is important to understand that the habit of confident hope is a vital or necessary routine of your Christian walk on earth and beyond. No wonder 1 Corinthians 15:19 (NLT) reads, "And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world."

When born again Christians are more satisfied and happy with growing their faith in Christ and helping other Christians through their love actions, they are more likely to hope for great promises to come and to prepare for heaven. Why would Paul take their strengthened faith and mutual affection, plus lovely regard for all of God's people seriously? It's because as simple as their actions seemed, they truly made the difference in the lives of God's people.

Paul really has a good leadership quality that ensures that God's people are not left feeling like their efforts are in vain or rather a mere drop in a bucket. He would always let you know that you inspire others, and if possible elaborate it so that other saints would learn from it. That's apostle Paul of Tarsus for you - I mean the Greek-speaking Jew from Asia Minor.

Here are the outlined benefits of Pauline commendation and thorough appraisal: His appraisal can inspire or motivate any Christian to: 1. More godly actions, and 2. Pleasant response and rewarding attitude towards other Christians and 3. Solemn dedication to faith walk.

All of this makes our heavenly calling more effective. The lesson here is that we should often feel great about helping and supporting other Christians but the problem is: Sometimes we are really good at focusing on our own interests alone. But the Bible says, "Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too" (Philippians 2:4 NLT).

Finally Paul mentioned that "You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News." Our confident hope is an eternal expectation that originally came from the truth of the Good News. The Good news is a life-saving message or gospel that transforms men and grants eternal life. Once you receive it, Christ gives you a living hope as He dwells in your heart by faith. From then on, your faith walk is lived or spent with confident hope and then you start to apply a new thinking and godly ideas from a renewed mind. And I guarantee you, it will trigger you to a new level of faith and also motivate you to love God's people. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Matthew 12:21; Romans 8:24; Acts 24:15; 1 Timothy 1:1; 1 Peter 1:21; 1 Timothy 4:10; Titus 1:2. . Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for the confident hope I have in Christ Jesus which has both present and future rewards. Notwithstanding there be many things that increase vanity in this present world, I rejoice in the hope of what God has reserved for me in heaven and I enjoy the benefits of my salvation which has manifold present advantages. Lord, I'm forever grateful for the great worth of goodness that comes from my faith in Christ and my consistent love for the saints in Jesus' Name, Amen!