What difference does hope make? If our Hope does not make a difference in our living, then we might have a self-indulgent faith.

God is the provider and enabler of our Hope. It is in Him we need to believe. If we do not know that we are secured and sustained by God, we will inevitably be anxious.

Our anxiety will perhaps lead to disturbing outcomes. We may live in debilitating fear. We are likely to indulge in uneasy attempts at controlling every circumstances. We could end up being self-centred and easily outraged.

Lacking any hope outside of ourselves, our focus is likely going to be our own needs and desires and anything that might threaten their attainment. The focus on our needs, our comfort, our problems, our potential will reduce our ability to love others and engage positively.

If we do not firmly believe that God is for us, in Christ, then we are forced to rely upon ourselves.

If we do not see that Hope has been established in the self-sacrificing love of Jesus, we cannot enter into self-sacrificing love for others.

So, what difference does true hope make? Firstly, we will “Abound” in hope. What a strong word – that means we have hope in limitless abundance!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)

Knowing the God of Hope will nullify our anxieties. We don’t have to worry whether everything will be OK; we have the promise that it all works out in the end.

Hope will change our lives.

For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for Himself a people of His own who are zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:11-13

Hope will change our desires, the way we live, the way we relate, the way that we serve. We will be transformed.

Blessings
Brian