Topical Bible: Hope: Sure and Steadfast

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Hope, within the Christian context, is a profound and unwavering assurance rooted in the promises of God. It is not a mere wishful thinking or an uncertain expectation but a confident anticipation of what God has assured through His Word. The concept of hope is central to the Christian faith, providing believers with strength and encouragement amidst life's trials and tribulations.

Biblical Foundation of Hope

The Bible presents hope as an integral part of the believer's life, deeply intertwined with faith and love. In 1 Corinthians 13:13, the Apostle Paul writes, "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love." Here, hope is positioned alongside faith and love as a foundational virtue of the Christian life.

The source of Christian hope is God Himself, who is described as the "God of hope" in Romans 15:13: "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This verse highlights that hope is not self-generated but is a divine gift, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Hope as an Anchor

The imagery of hope as an anchor is vividly portrayed in Hebrews 6:19: "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain." This metaphor illustrates hope as a stabilizing force, keeping the believer steadfast amidst the storms of life. The anchor signifies security and steadfastness, ensuring that the believer remains grounded in the promises of God.

The Certainty of Hope

Christian hope is characterized by its certainty and assurance. Unlike worldly hope, which is often uncertain and speculative, biblical hope is sure and steadfast. This certainty is based on the faithfulness of God, who cannot lie and whose promises are unfailing. In Titus 1:2, Paul speaks of "the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began." This assurance is rooted in the character of God, who is unchanging and trustworthy.

Hope in the Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian hope. It is through the resurrection that believers have the assurance of eternal life and victory over death. In 1 Peter 1:3, it is written, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." This living hope is dynamic and life-giving, offering believers a future inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.

Hope in Suffering

Hope plays a crucial role in the life of a believer, especially in times of suffering and adversity. Romans 5:3-5 states, "Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." This passage underscores the transformative power of hope, which is refined and strengthened through trials, leading to a deeper experience of God's love.

The Role of Hope in Sanctification

Hope is also a driving force in the process of sanctification, motivating believers to pursue holiness and godliness. In 1 John 3:2-3, it is written, "Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." The anticipation of Christ's return and the believer's future transformation inspires a life of purity and devotion.

Hope as a Witness

Finally, hope serves as a powerful witness to the world. In 1 Peter 3:15, believers are exhorted, "But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you, but respond with gentleness and respect." The visible hope in a believer's life can prompt others to inquire about the source of such hope, providing opportunities for sharing the gospel.

In summary, hope in the Christian life is a sure and steadfast anchor, rooted in the promises of God and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a living hope that sustains believers through trials, motivates holiness, and serves as a testimony to the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 6:19
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Blessedness of Our Hope.
... In 2:Thess.2:16 it is termed a "good hope." In Heb.6:19 it is described as a hope
"both sure and steadfast." In 1:Pet.1:3 it is denominated "a living hope." In ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/iii the blessedness of our.htm

The Hope of the Redeemer's Return
... consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which
hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/chapter two the hope of.htm

The Impossibility of Failure.
... who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us; which we have as
an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that ...
/.../chapter vi the impossibility of.htm

Steadfast unto the End
... Lesson 52 Steadfast Unto the End. ... as was this evidence of the certainty of the believers'
hope, there was ... "We have also," Peter declared, "a more sure word of ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 52 steadfast unto the.htm

A Faithful Undershepherd
... and also His consolation had been made to abound; one whose entire being had been
transformed by grace, and whose hope of eternal life was sure and steadfast. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 51 a faithful undershepherd.htm

The Mourner's Creed.
... human props give way, how sustaining to have this "anchor of the soul sure and
steadfast""union with a living Lord on earth, and the joyful hope of endless ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/ix the mourners creed.htm

A Soul Gazing on God
... Thou art my hope,' we shall have the 'anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast, which
entereth within the veil,' and fixes on Him who is within it, the throned ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a soul gazing on god.htm

Our Inheritance
... consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which
hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter v our inheritance.htm

God with Us, and we with God
... of inward weakness and of outward antagonism there breathes in that humble and modest
hope, as being ... The anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast, which will ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/god with us and we.htm

Israel's Hope; Or, the Centre of the Target
... When our hope is in God, through the Mediator whom he has appointed, we hope in
him in a way which renders our hope sure and steadfast; and this is the highest ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/israels hope or the centre.htm