Week 6, Day 5
Today’s Reading: Romans 7:1-8:39
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
The idea of hope has been oft discussed in our country of late. That hope, however, has not been based on anything solid, but rather political rhetoric. Fortunately, we as Christians have the opportunity for real hope. Hope is comprised of two characteristics: desire and expectation. We can have hope of an eternal reward when this life is over because we know that God is able to provide it for us, and that He has promised it for those who are faithful to His commands. In Romans 5, Paul talks about the development of hope. In Romans 5:3-5, we see the progression laid out from tribulations, to perseverance, to character and finally hope.
We often forget that tribulations are a key part of our faithfulness. Unless we are tried, we cannot be proven. Paul shows us that it is through these tribulations that we produce the kind of perseverance (or endurance) that we must have to be pleasing to God. If we are able to “keep on keeping on”, then we will develop the kind of approved character that God wants us to have. This reflects our way of life, the way that we act in any given circumstance. Having developed the proper character, we can have hope. Our hope is founded in “the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2)
The final comforting idea of Romans 5:5 is that this is a hope that does not disappoint. There are many who are disappointed by the hope that is proclaimed around us in our society. But the hope that belongs to the faithful Christian will not disappoint. We can have confidence in what God has promised to us. How can we have such confidence? Because God has given to us the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit has been given to us (those who obey, Acts 2:38) to seal us until the final judgment. He is the earnest payment, or the guarantee that God will indeed provide what He has promised to us in eternity (Ephesians 1:13-14). We are going to be let down by those who proclaim hope to us based upon worldly measures. However, we will not be disappointed by the hope that we have in Christ, as He has already provided us with the down payment which ensures that we will receive the end prize.
May we have a true hope, and not be dissuaded from faithful service by the false hope proclaimed to us by men!
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