Inspirational Bible Verses | What Hope Do We Have?
I was recently debating an issue with a friend and in our conversation he accused me of being “self righteous”. When he said that about me I was initially taken aback. After giving his comment some thought it occurred to me – in this world as a Christian sometimes someone is going to misinterpret our good intentions. We are going to be wrongly accused when we were only trying to do good. In my conversation with my friend I was just trying to give good Christian advise in love but my efforts were interpreted by him as me being self righteous. As I thought about the matter I considered Jesus Christ. The scriptures teach us that Jesus lived on this earth and was without sin: that he was “a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19). But even though he was sinless he still found himself judged negatively by the people of his day. Now if Jesus Christ was judged as a sinner even though he committed no sin what hope do you and I have as fallen human beings who are subject to commit sins?
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)
In our time on this earth all we can do is the best that we can and not worry about all of the other stuff. As I heard a preacher say once “strive to be the best and let GOD take care of the rest”. Like Paul we must run the race as best we can by being disciplined in our faith. All of us are subject to succumb to sin from time to time. When we fall while running this race we have to get back up ask GOD for forgiveness and keep going. Keep moving forward. We must remember that GOD will forgive us. We serve a forgiving GOD, who is gracious and compassionate, one who is slow to anger and abounding in love (Nehemiah 9:17). We have to learn to forgive ourselves and not dwell on the failings of the past.
Our Hope Is In The LORD
In the book of Psalm 119:114 the writer states “you are my refuge and my shield; your word is my only source of hope”. The scriptures teach us that we have been saved by grace because of our faith in Jesus Christ. It is not based on anything that we have done but rather it is a gift from GOD through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). I once heard grace explained this way: grace is GOD’S Riches At Christ’s Expense. It is because of the work of Jesus Christ that we have been saved. We as believers inherit the riches of GOD as a result of Jesus Christ. It is a free gift from GOD it is not based on our works. As believers we have to put our faith in the word of GOD that the actions of Jesus Christ was enough to save us. He is our refuge. Our shield or defense against the wages of sin. We have to know that we are going to make it across the finish line not because of our efforts but rather because of the work of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. Paul taught that he too put his faith in Jesus Christ and not in performing the works of the law (Galatians 2:16). We keep the faith by trusting in the work of Jesus Christ. We have to remember that Jesus Christ is the good shepherd (John 10:11) and we are the sheep: it is the shepherd’s responsibility to make sure that the sheep make it to their final destination. As believers our hope is in the LORD.
