Certain HOPE by ICR

"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 stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil." (Hebrews 6:18-19)

The noun "hope," when used in the New Testament, does not imply a wishful attitude, but rather a joyous and confident expectation in something promised which will certainly come to pass--in most cases, something good. Note especially the few times it is used with a descriptive adjective.

First, in a stirring benediction, Paul tells us that our good hope comes from both "our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father" (2 Thessalonians 2:16). Furthermore, such hope is given to us along with "everlasting consolation," or comfort, which shall last forever. The Father and Son have done this "through grace" which brings eternal salvation.

Next, we are taught that we should be "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). This blessed hope can be none other than "our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope" (1 Timothy 1:1). He will certainly return, and this return will be glorious.

Furthermore, we have a hope which is actively alive. "The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3). We have been (past tense) born again from the dead just as surely as Christ has been raised from the dead, for His resurrection accomplished it.

Our hope, under grace, is guaranteed by Jesus Christ: "A better hope . . . by the which we draw nigh unto God" (Hebrews 7:19), than that which was possible under law. In fact, it is a glorious hope (2 Corinthians 3:11-12) by comparison. This kind of hope can be "an anchor of the soul." JDM

Obedience and Righteousness

Obedience and Righteousness

October 2, 2010

"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Romans 5:19)

Certainly the focal point of all history and the climax of Christ's earthly ministry was His sacrificial death on the cross. Christ knew from ages past what was in store for Him, and yet He was "obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:8).

However, as we see in our text, Christ's obedience included more than His death, for He was perfectly obedient throughout His entire life. Indeed, it is a good thing, for any act of disobedience would have invalidated His sacrificial death. Animal sacrifices in the Old Testament (which prefigured the final sacrifice of Christ) had to be "without blemish" (Leviticus 22:19). But even a perfect animal was not enough (Hebrews 10:4) to satisfy God's justice and take away sins. "Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things. . . . But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Christ's obedience, therefore, consisted not only of His obedience in death, but in His entire earthly life--from His incarnation, "I come . . . to do thy will, O God" (Hebrews 10:7)--to His childhood, " ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 2:49)--to His healing and teaching ministry among the people, "I must work the works of him that sent me" (John 9:4)--to His preparation for death, "nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42).

Now, in His obedience, Christ calls us to a life of similar obedience. "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Hebrews 5:8-9). JDM

From the Institute for Creation Research