Jesus Christ is Our Only Hope
Jesus Christ is our only hope (1 Tim 1:1). The world does not hope in Him because there is no faith in Him. Men place their faith and hope in empty promises, from a world that does not deliver. It is a world of lies.
Death should sober all people, but the deceiver of souls has them busy with Vanity Fair (Jn 8:44; 2 Cor 4:4). Thus, no one seeks after God (Rom 3:11), and hell is ever diluted in the mind of the unregenerate. Are you living a life fully given to Christ Jesus, our Lord?
The Bible implores you to examine yourself to see that you are in the faith (2 Cor 13:5), that is, repositioned to a status known as “in Christ” (1 Cor 1:30). One who is in Christ has undergone a radical change that is both testified by the individual and witnessed by others who are “in the Lord.”
A Christian’s testimony must be compliant with the witness of Scripture. When a new believer has been born again of the Spirit of Christ (Jn 3:1–8; 1 Pet 1:3), it is heard in his testimony, and his life change is viewed by the church. A moral and ethical realignment has occurred and the person in view is quick to acknowledge that his or her change is solely attributed to God’s intervention (1 Cor 2:2).
It is simply unfathomable for a new creature to take credit for the profound change that has visited him, “I was blind, but now I see (Jn 9:25).” God decreed and executed the change, in the one who is called “vessel of mercy” (Rom 9:23). The catalyst is the Spirit of Christ, who is producing a new creation (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15).
The new believer is not ashamed of the explanation of what happened to him. The explanation is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation, for those who believe (Rom 1:16–17). The Gospel itself, in the care of the Spirit, is life-giving (1 Cor 15:45). Just as God created the physical universe, ex-nihilo (something from nothing), so He works to cause one to be born of God (Jn 3:1–8; 1 Pet 1:3).
To trust in Jesus Christ is itself a gift of God’s grace (Eph 2:8–9). The Word is heard with ears that have been opened by Him. Faith is the product (Rom 10:17). The Word, unattended by the Spirit, however, does fall in unproductive places (Mt 13:1–9). The grace of God, alone, gives life where God intends. The seed of the Word is planted in good soil (Jas 1:21). Hence, God is glorified, for His mercy toward sinners, where grace abounds.
Grace is reserved for God’s elect people. In this, not all people are saved, so that God displays His just judgment against sinners (Rom 1:18–32). When an elect sinner receives Christ, his pardon, by the Judge of the whole earth, humbles him with utmost gratitude (Mic 6:8). There is no greater gift than the gift of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
The cancelled debt of sin is most liberating (Col 2:14). Knowing that one no longer lives under the judgment of an omniscient, holy God is joyful (Rom 8:1). Knowing that the just wrath of God has been propitiated is peace (Eph 2:14; Heb 2:17; 1 Jn 2:2). In Christ, salvation from the consequences of sin is made manifest.
A sinner transformed into the status of a saint, is no longer a slave of sin (Rom 6:6, 16–20), but a slave of Christ (Eph 6:6). His heart and mind belong to Christ, who occupies both thoughts and feelings (1 Cor 2:16; Eph 3:17). The physical body of the Christian is now the house where God’s Spirit permanently dwells (1 Cor 6:19). The believer is in a never-ending state of worship.
Union with Christ is the dominant theme of life for the child of God (Eph 1:3; 1 Jn 4:13). He patiently endures the sufferings of this life because of the promise of eternal life (Jn 3:36; Rom 8:18). He has received the token of Christ’s love — an endless reminder of the promises of God (2 Cor 1:22; 5:5). The Holy Spirit (token) illumines the Word (promises), so, the soul of the beloved is being renewed day by day (2 Cor 4:16).
The failing body (2 Cor 5:1–5), in a disheartening world (1 Jn 2:15–17), only helps to prepare the redeemed — increases her longing for home in heaven (Phil 1:23). The vaporous life is apparent to all (Jas 4:14), and as the velocity toward an end to life, in this body of death (Rom 7:24), is embraced by faith…there is hope.
Hope is encompassed in the name “Jesus Christ.” His name can only be interpreted and understood correctly, by His Word, taught by the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:26). It is the Spirit who guides the children of God into more intimate communion — meditating on God’s Word day and night (Ps 1:2).
It is my prayer that these words resonate with your experience of the Christian life. The Bible warns us that many are deceived (Mt 7:21–23). Therefore, job number one for you is to seek Christ — flee to Him — call out to Him. Do you need more hope, today? Then, you need more Christ.
There is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:12). Without Jesus Christ, you remain in your trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1), whose wages are death and appointed judgment (Rom 6:23; Heb 9:27). Who will deliver you from the wrath to come (Mt 3:7; Lk 3:7; 1 Thess 1:10)?
Only the Son of God sent from heaven (Jn 3:16), to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21), can deliver, by way of the cross stained with His precious blood (1 Pet 1:19). His death, in the place of punishment, was an acceptable substitute for those given to Him by His Father (Jn 6:37). The Good Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep (Jn 10:11, 15).
In His resurrection from the dead (1 Cor 15), we recognize God’s hearty approval of Christ’s work on our behalf. His reception into heaven, by way of ascension, is also hope for the regenerated because of the promise of His coming again (Titus 2:13; 1 Pet 5:4; Rev 19:11–21).
Our hope? Jesus Christ is coming again for His church (Mt 24–25), on the last day (Jn 5:28–29). Those in Christ, from all nations (Rev 5:9; 7:9) and from every generation, will be joined with Him (1 Thess 4:16–17), body and soul (1 Cor 15), to be with Him forever and ever. Amen. This is our hope (Col 1:27). There is no other.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
December 9, 2022
