Webster's Unabridged Dictionary defines the word hope as: (1) A desire for some good, accompanied with at lest a slight expectation of obtaining it; (2) The object of this expectation; (3) Confidence in a future event; and (4) One who furnishes ground for hope, or expectation.

The Greek word "elpis" which is translated "hope" on the New Testament also carries this same meaning. As it is used in 1 Corinthians 13:13, it refers to the expectation that we have today__"…now abideth faith, hope, charity…"

There is, however, a misunderstanding of hope as it relates tot he world and men in their relationship to God. This makes it absolutely necessary, therefore, that we the people of God, who live by the Grace of God and according to the Word of God understand the meaning of "hope" which abides today.

For the unbelieving world, the nature of "hope" is shaped by man's existence governed by the present accepted as it is, but shaped by the inescapable effects of the past and the fortune or misfortune of the future. This concept of "hope" rests upon an uncertain ground or foundation and consequently is dangerous, delivering disappointment more often than not. This "earthly hope" is described in Ephesians 2:12 where the Lord revealed that mankind in their natural state are "without hope and without God in the world…" In reality, they have no sure expectation of good because they do not know the Lord.

For the people of God today, the question is "What is the ground or object of our hope?" And more specifically, "Who is the object of hope?"

The answer is found in the Word of God, the revelation of God's mercy, grace, and love for all men in His Son, Jesus Christ. This "more sure word of prophecy" is the sure foundation of our hope and the Lord Jesus Christ is the object of our hope (Romans 15:4; Colossians 1:27; 1Timothy 1:1). In Him we have a firm foundation which is based not upon the uncertain events of man's fate, but upon what God has done in the past, is doing in the present, and will do for us in the future in Jesus Christ.

This is our gift of grace from the Lord who decreed in Hebrews 6:18 & 19 "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast…"

In 1 Peter 1:3, the Lord declares the nature of our hope-" Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," This hope is "lively or living" because it has already begun to be fulfilled and is being presently realized by all who trust Christ. We know that the Kingdom is at hand, the Messiah, our Savior, is revealed, the resurrection has begun!

This is the hope set before us, the sure foundation upon which we live our lives confident of God's immutable decree in the past, His abiding pledge in the present, and His immutable promise of the future.

Today, we trust in Him Who "came in the fullness of time: according to God's prophetic promise and Whose death, burial and resurrection is a historical fact. We are saved by hope (Acts 24:15; 2 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Timothy 4:10; 5:5; 6:17; 1 Peter 1:21 & 3:5). Our hope is assured (Hebrews 6:18, 19) living (1 Peter 1:3) good (2Thessalonians 2:16), and blessed (Titus 2:13).

It is absolutely necessary to abide in "hope" for it is the only expectation of good for all mankind. Abiding in hope is our calling.

1Peter 3:15
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

Romans 15:13
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."

Ephesians 1:18
"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,"

1Thessalonians 1:3
"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;"

1Thessalonains 5:8
"But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation."

Hebrews 6:11
"And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:"

1Peter 1:13
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"

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