The Hope. Colossians 1:5 A third characteristic of "a new creation in Christ Jesus" is hope. Hope also draws its foundation from faith. Hope is unseen physically but not out of spiritual reach. It is "laid up," or stored away for us in heaven. It is real, even though its impact on us now encourages us to live holy lives and serve faithfully. That treasure and the focus of our lives are on the Person of our Lord, who is also supreme in heaven. Our new life in Christ begins with faith in Him, is demonstrated through love for God and His people, and is centered on the future when we see our Lord glorified and honored—and His name revered above all names.
Hope is not just wishful thinking but a strong confidence rooted in God’s word. Titus 1:2 explains that the “hope of eternal life” is backed by God's promises, who cannot lie. This hope encourages us to stay in faith and love in Christ Jesus. He has secured this hope for us, as He is the central truth and primary focus of the Gospel. Hope motivates faith and love. It is based on faith in God's promises, which forms the solid foundation of our faith.
Hope is not limited to heaven but is stored there, out of our sight yet within our reach. Our treasure is where our hearts focus. As believers, our hope strengthens us now as the Spirit of God reveals the truth of the Gospel and encourages us to look beyond current obstacles toward the future fulfillment of all God’s promises. The “word of truth” is good news from God, not man-made doctrines like those being forced on believers at Colosse.
These blessings in the Christian life are given to us and revealed in "the word of the truth of the Gospel." This is not a false message born of human imagination. It is the absolute truth from God. The Gospel is God's genuine revelation to us through the Person who is the Truth Himself. When our minds are opened to the truth of the Gospel, our hearts are also open to receive the Lord Jesus as our personal Savior. Therefore, we have reason to thank God for the Gospel message itself. We also have reason to thank Him when we hear of its impact on others and in different places.
Hope inspires confidence in believers that greatly shapes our outlook toward God and His people. We long to share our eternal life with other believers and will do so forever in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hope is the part of the Gospel that all believers cling to wherever they are and with whomever they are. When false teachings and errors are uncovered through the clear preaching of the Gospel's truth, there is no reason to listen to those who teach or spread error.
Faith and love have another friend who makes life complete. Each of these three is unique. Faith opens a door to unseen and unknown things. Love then enters, and through its ways, faith becomes clear through love's attitudes and actions. But there’s one more part related to motivation. Faith and love are connected to hope, which influences us now by its treasure stored in heaven. This testing and training time also points to another moment. A positive hope is stored up when life on earth ends.
The hardships and challenges of life are temporary. Faith, love, and hope also go against the tide of adversity. Together, these three move upstream while other things drift downstream. Faith is the force that empowers us, and love dispels pessimism. Hope shines brightly through the darkness, showing us the way home even during tough times. Its light cuts through the gloom caused by sin. It guides faith and love, keeps us from dwelling on obstacles, and reminds us of heaven where our true treasure lies.
Hope sings the songs of Zion that lift people's spirits. Hope takes the words of faith and applies them to the challenges we face in life. It helps us look beyond current temptations to the goal of the high calling in Christ Jesus. It makes the unseen things of faith become real to our hearts. Hope speaks of a Savior who waits to welcome us home and be with Him forever. It tells of our heavenly Father, who, through the Gospel, invites everyone to come to Christ and be saved. Hope shares the promise of a sinless state where the sins of the past are gone forever. All those enemies that once stood in our way are gone for good. Hope describes the saints of God we knew who, through death, were taken from us and whom we will see and be united with in that unclouded day. Hope encourages the heart toward holy living because, at any moment, we know faith will give way to sight as we move into our Father’s house in heaven.