“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1 Peter 1:3, NIV84)

Some may ask at times, “What makes our hope (Christian hope) different from the hope offered in the other religions of the world?”  The answer is quite simple.  Our hope is a “living” hope.  Our hope is not just a logical conclusion from the teaching of a great prophet.  Our hope is not rooted in our religious commitment and sacrifice.  Our hope is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  Our great Prophet and Teacher was the very Messiah promised by God since His words were recorded for our learning.  Jesus is the only religious leader to rise from the dead victoriously.

Our hope is a living hope because we have a living God and Savior.  This is such a critical difference.  No other religion on the planet can claim to have a hope such as ours.  Our hope is completely anchored in the fulfilled promises of the God of grace who sent His Son to die on the cross to bear our sin and its wages (death).  But it doesn’t end there!  Jesus rose from the dead to assure us that we are truly redeemed and justified in the eyes of God.  He was the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world.  So, today, our God, our savior, our faith, our hope are living and active.  Just as we have been born anew through the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God has birthed in us a hope that lives.

Today, where is your hope rooted?  Are you trying to well something up yourself?  Are you trying to make yourself feel hopeful?  Stop!  Turn to the cross and the empty tomb.  Realize that Jesus went through that so that you might have new life and a living hope.  Let God provide you the hope that you need today.  Rest in His grace and mercy, and let His Holy Spirit fill you with living hope.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church