Stand in the Hope of Christ!

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. – Romans 5:2

The fallen world all around us devises new and creative ways to place hopelessness on full display each and every passing day. The emptiness of material humanism, fatalism, anarchism, atheism – whatever descriptive term used to describe repackaged despair hawked by the so-called great thinkers and artists of our day is pumped out to the masses by way of music, television, film, and social media. All of this nothingness (no meaning, no ultimate worth, no real purpose – just live until you die) has left us with extremely dangerous levels of depression, anxiety, higher rates of eating disorders, and even suicidality among our precious juniors and teens. It is ironic how much time “doom scrolling” on social media feeds takes away from our already hectic lives, given the fact worldly philosophies promise nothing short of nothingness! It is as though we waste our time to learn only that our time has been wasted! Empty and vain deceit!

As a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I want you to know that there is hope in Him! There is peace to be had in knowing Christ Jesus in the full pardon and forgiveness of sin. Death is a certainty of this life none of us can escape. Yet, I tell you death itself is swallowed up in the victory won by Jesus Christ on His cross! The hope He provides His people isn’t just an empty concept. No! The hope of glory is Christ! Moreover, it is Christ’s dwelling and abiding presence in the lives of His elect people (Colossians 1:27) that testifies to the reality that this life, though fading like a tender plant in the sun, is not the end of the story! That’s right, hope! Hope for a future in a place where righteousness dwells and sorrow is no more!

In a world of seemingly endless expressions of godless darkness, the Light of Life has victoriously entered the scene (John 8:2), calling His people from each and every kindred, nation, tribe, and tongue. And those who trust Christ have “obtained access by faith to this grace in which we stand!” Praise the Lord forevermore! Even in the darkness, the pitch black of spiritual night, God’s people can stand by Grace! And, beloved, as the old hymn rang out, “We’ve a story to tell to the nations!”

Oh, let us tell our neighbors about the Christ of Scripture! The true Christ who died to save His people from their sins! Let us tell of His wonders and of His grace toward all He causes by the Spirit’s power to call on His Name! There is forgiveness and restoration in His mighty Name! There is peace for the troubled heart in His mighty Name! There is joy in the Holy Ghost found in His mighty Name! And praise the Living God above, there is eternal life awaiting those whom He gloriously calls to faith in His mighty Name! Jesus Christ is the only hope: the way, the truth, and the life!

So many are the occasions in which God’s people can find themselves discouraged by the onslaught of the enemy. The prevailing attitudes of the culture grow evermore hostile to the true Gospel of Christ. We are bombarded with a steady diet of emptiness and worldliness. We are told that the Christian message is no longer relevant, no longer necessary, or even downright dangerous to share! But it is high time for God’s people to look up, from whence comes our help! We must declare as the Apostle Paul, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is power of God unto salvation to them that believe!” Would that the Holy Spirit of God grant His church a stirring of divine anointing to rise up and boldly declare our message of hope to the nations! Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves!

How trite and silly the world’s best attempts at meaning become in the light of Christ’s glory and grace! Those who refuse His blessed call do so because they love the darkness rather than light! Oh, but the Lord continues to use His people to share the Gospel with those who will be saved! We are the tools in the Master’s hands, reaping a harvest of hope in the blessed and mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Let us, by His grace, go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the hope of God in Christ!

and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. – Romans 5:5