HERE’S HOPE!

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,   looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,   who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11-14)

You can lose all your worldly possessions in a flash.  All it takes is one house fire.  I received a phone call last night that one of our deacons and his wife, Chase and Katie Harris, had a house fire.  Thankfully, the family wasn’t home, but the house was badly damaged.  It broke my heart to see it, but I rejoiced that I heard no cursing, just the giving of thanks.  A circle of family and friends gathered and prayed.  I never heard, “Why us? Why God did you let this happen?”  Not that they may not have the subtle hint at those questions creep into the shadow of their thoughts in the future—or even that it is necessarily wrong to wonder what God is up to when some things don’t make sense.  Here is the reality I saw in the face of tragedy: there was no expression of bitterness, but there were several expressions of blessings.  That is what hope produces.

It was evident that their hope does not rest in the things of this world, but in the certainties of eternity.  They might have been shaken, but they stood because they are grounded on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Their house might not have been saved, but Chase and Katie are! 

Do you have such a hope?  You can.  The Harris Family is a faithful one, but still a frail one.  They are not exceptional in the sense that they are people of flesh and blood.  Yet, they are exceptional in that they have chosen to trust in God’s good hand and gracious direction. 

But—and this is so important—all of us can join their ranks if we wish.  It is possible to put your hope where it will stand—not wishful thinking, not hope so, maybe so—but a resolute confidence in Biblical truth.

Paul wrote a preacher named Titus and told him how.  He in turn was to share it with the congregation.  The Holy Spirit means for us to apply it today. 

We see salvation is in three tenses—all bringing hope.  There is a past dimension whereby we have been saved from the penalty of sin.  There is a present dimension meaning we are being saved from the power of sin.  There is a promised dimension when we will be saved from the presence of sin.  Here’s hope!  We’ll explore it further this week.