The Christian hope

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb. 6:11-12

What is Christian hope? Well, one way to look at it is to see what it does. Christian hope encourages the believer in Christ to "be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." This hope does not act as a pillow to encourage spiritual sloth; it does the exact opposite, and drives out sloth with a spirit of endurance (patience). This hope does not make one indolent in the things of God but resolute in the obedience of faith.

How does it do that? It does it by pointing the believer to a superior satisfaction, a greater glory, and a brighter future. It shows us that we have a superior satisfaction in the fellowship of Christ than what could be had in the comforts and pleasures of the world. It shows us that we have a greater glory in the person of Christ than in the applause of men. It shows us that we have a brighter future in the salvation of Christ than in the passing beauty of this world.

Those who have this hope purify themselves, even as the Lord is pure (1 Jn. 3:3). This, therefore, is not a hope that makes one soft but one that steels the heart and gives a person backbone for the cause of God and truth. May we all know this hope and show "the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end."