January 9, 2004

THE HOPE OF GLORY

"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27, NIV).

The word hope is a unique word of Christian origin. It is part of the great Christian triangle--faith, hope, and love. Like a recurring decimal, the word hope surfaces more than fifty-four times in the New Testament. There is the hope of the resurrection (see 2 Corinthians 3:12), the hope of righteousness (see Galatians 5:5), the hope of salvation (see 2 Corinthians 1:10), and the hope of eternal life (see Titus 1:2, 3). Hope is the product of divine grace (see Romans 12:12). We are saved by hope (see Romans 8:24). Hope looks to God (see Acts 24:15). Hope is in Christ (see 1 Thessalonians 1:3).

The word hope spotlights Jesus Christ as the origin and wellspring of authentic hope. Without Him, there is no hope. Through Christ, the hope of glory, the Christian sees the future with certainty, confidence, and serenity.

Ever since the promise of Genesis 3:15, Christ has been the hope glory to all true believers. The apostolic designation, Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27, NIV), links the future glory to the present reality of the indwelling presence of Christ in the Christian's life. The indwelling of Christ in the individual is positive proof that the power of divine grace is at work, progressively transforming the character into Christ's likeness. This continuing presence of Christ gives meaning and reality to the hope of the final restoration.

Through the indwelling of Christ, the Christian lives in the kingdom grace now and is empowered thereby in his quest for the coming kingdom of glory. The kingdom of glory becomes an eminent reality and a joyous anticipation when Christ is allowed permanent abode in our hearts; "When we realize that our hope of glory is Christ, that we are complete in him, we shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."--Review and Herald, April, 4,1893.

My Prayer Today: Lord, in a world of uncertainty, I rejoice that my future is bright because Christ is the hope of glory. Amen.