The Hope of Glory

Colossians 1:21-23 - And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight--if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven...

This is for those who have given their lives to Christ. We are not boasting when we say we have been made blameless and above reproach through the saving grace of Jesus. This can happen to anyone who will bow to the authority of a loving God. We can speak this confidently. We should speak it confidently.

What's even more incredible is this hope we now have...hope for our future, hope in difficult times...if we remain grounded and steadfast in Him and His Word. Some may think it's time-consuming or too difficult to read the Bible. Some may believe this is what the Church is for...to teach us what we need to know. But, as Adrian Monk says, "here's the thing..." not all churches teach what we need to know. Some are misguided themselves for some reason.

Thankfully I, who once was alienated and an enemy myself of God because of the world's wickedness, have been reconciled. I know these words are harsh...all are alienated before Christ saves. All live without the same hope that I and many others have.

I had lunch yesterday with a woman from the church I attend in Arizona. She herself has come from a few church backgrounds. She is settled in the Baptist faith now. We had been talking about our children's pastor at our church in Milwaukee. She has been in a coma for over a week now because of a brain hemorrhage. Our church and so many around the world are in prayer for her recovery. All this is in God's hands. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is a child of God. And so is her family...as well as many of those who are praying for her. This woman and I agreed, like others in similar difficult situations, how could we get through an ordeal such as this without the hope that Jesus Christ brings? How could a person be strengthened as her family needs to be at this time during the endless days at the hospital awaiting some sign of recovery.

Those praying for her are crying out to the Father as well as the praising Him knowing that He has her in His loving arms. Where does the strength come from for those who don't have this close relationship with the Father? We--I--can't imagine.

 To be grounded in God's Word, to know the scriptures regarding our salvation, to be filled with promises and scriptures on hope and life in Christ is critical. If one doesn't know where to find them or these scriptures/promises are not ingrained in your mind and heart, I don't know how anyone can be strengthened. Repetitive prayers our churches might teach could be manmade. Scripture right out of the Word are right out of God's heart. Remember, He spoke and it was so. There is power in His Word. That's why it is vital to be grounded and steadfast in the gospel.

Later in this chapter the Apostle Paul tells us he rejoices in his sufferings for those who have accepted Jesus. Jesus did just that for us...He suffered for us. We can do this too. Why? Because in Christ we have that same Hope. Oh, that's a comfort to me. That our sufferings are considered part of our life in Christ and how we go through them and how we come out of them are all so important. Do we learn from the trial or do we let it become an agony the rest of our lives?

When we receive Jesus and have that "blessed hope" we are given the knowledge God gives to those who receive Him. Again, this may sound boastful but it's true. Some wisdom is not imparted to those who have not heard or heeded the truth of God's Word or the truth of Jesus and the relationship He wishes all to have. And you will know when you have touched that Truth...when you have sought and reached out to touch the hem of Jesus' garment for your Hope.

If you do not have hope in some circumstance in your life, call out to Jesus. He helped me at a certain time in my life. I didn't realize at the time I needed hope. I just knew things weren't right. I did not know Him during this painful time but He made Himself known to me when I needed Him most. I tell you, when that knowledge of who He is is given to you you know it and it is so glorious. It's the mystery Paul tells us about below. A mystery only revealed when you give your life to the Lord.

Dr. Charles Stanley wrote this: "God's benefit plan is absolutely fantastic! Those who accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior receive two tremendous benefits: forgiveness of sin and eternal life. You can't beat those benefits." We have hope that no matter what befalls us in our life, or in our death, we have that hope of eternal life. And we know our sins are covered by that Hope.

Colossians 2:27 -To them (who are followers of Christ, who know that they know Him) God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.