A Living Hope
“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?” Romans 8:24 NASBS
As we enter the holiday season, I find myself reflecting on the many things I am grateful for. I am deeply thankful for my beloved wife, whom I love with all of my heart. My love also extends to my children, their spouses, and my grandchildren, all of whom hold a special place in my life. However, above all these earthly blessings, I am most grateful for the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him, I have come to understand the true essence of love—a sacrificial love exemplified by His willingness to lay down His life for me, even when I was a rebel against Him. There is no greater love than that of someone willing to sacrifice everything for another. This profound expression of love embodies selflessness, setting aside personal desires and being ready to give everything for the sake of another.
As I continue to think about the earthly ministry of Christ, who is God incarnate, I am awestruck by His willingness to enter into the sufferings of humanity on my behalf. Consider this for a moment: the sinless, perfect Lamb of God, who resides in the realm of heaven—free from suffering— clothed Himself in human flesh and subjected Himself to the trials of this world. Moreover, He placed Himself under the law to fulfill its righteous demands by living a sinless life, ultimately setting me free from the very law that had condemned me since birth. While I was helpless, bound by the chains of darkness, at the right time God awakened me from the dead and drew me to Him through sweet chords of love.
Once I was a rebel, an outlaw to the truth, but now I stand as an adopted heir of Heaven, transformed by His grace. It is through this divine redemption that I have been set free, embraced by a love that surpasses all understanding.
Jesus chose to endure the cross and bear the divine wrath that was meant for not just me, but for all of humanity. The reality of this extraordinary love captivated my heart and drew me to Jesus willingly. It wasn’t that I was forced to give up the desires of the flesh that are exasperated by this world; rather, I gained Heaven, and my inheritance is now Christ. Death no longer instills fear in me; instead, it heralds a greater hope, as the Scriptures state, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”
Understand, reader, that when I was in rebellion against His word, His affections were firmly set upon me before the foundations of the world were ever laid. He loved me at Gethsemane, in that moment of immense distress as His body experienced such anguish, “He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.”
His love for me was unconditional as He endured the lash from the taskmaster, tearing flesh from His body. His love persisted even as the executioners drove iron nails into His hands and feet, tearing apart ligaments and tendons while blood dripped into His eyes from the crown of thorns thrust upon His head. Through it all, His love never wavered, even as the cross was lifted high and secured in place.
There hangs the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, fastened to a cross between heaven and earth, fulfilling the righteous demands of God’s law so that all who come to Him in faith and repentance may be subject to His perfect grace.
Can you see Him straining against the iron nails in His feet, desperately trying to lift His body as His joints dislocate? Can you hear Him gasping for breath as His lungs fill with blood while His tongue is cleaving to the roof of His mouth, crying out, I’m thirsty? Oh, the cries of forgiveness amidst His torment, as crimson blood gushed from His wounds, echoing the words, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
Will you not cast aside the wicked works of the flesh and fly to Him today for salvation? He is a gracious King, ready to forgive. May God’s grace be with you.