- 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, Hebrews 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."
~~Baptist Bible Hour
https://baptistbiblehour.org/r....ead/devotionals/the-
- Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another, John 15:14-17
If all we could be is servants of Jesus, that would be wonderful. What a privilege! What a privilege just to serve the Lord Jesus Christ if that were all! But can you believe, Jesus said, “I’m not calling you servants. I’m not calling you slaves. I’m calling you friends. You didn’t choose Me. I chose you”? A person is known by his or her friends. In the Old Testament, Abraham was called what? A friend of God. All the disciples Jesus spoke to knew Abraham was a friend of God. Can you imagine what must have gone through their hearts when Jesus said, “Now you are My friends”? Consider the elevating honor of being a friend of the Lord Jesus Christ. And He sought us out; He took the initiative. Truly, this is nearly too wonderful to believe.
~~Adrian Rogers
https://www.crosswalk.com/devo....tionals/loveworthfin
Learn and share about Christianity. This group is Biblically based. If you love Jesus Christ, then this group is for you.