Articles
WHAT IS THE “ONE HOPE” IN EPHESIANS 4:4?
Without hope, one is miserable. Suicide is primarily caused by people seeing no hope for a bright future. The Bible says there is only ONE HOPE! Hope is defined as to anticipate, expectation, trust, fully expect. It is not a blind hope or wish. It is real. We fully expect to receive God's promises, for he is faithful (Hebrews 1:13; 10:23).
Hope is the desire and expectation of the unseen (Philippians 3:12-14; Romans 8:24-25). There are several things the Bible mentions we hope for: the resurrection of the dead (Acts 24:15), the Savior to come from heaven (Titus 2:13), the hope and glory laid up for us in heaven (Colossians 1:5,27), life beyond death (1 Corin-thians 15:19), salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8), eternal life (Titus 3:7), an entrance into the everlasting kingdom (2 Peter 1:11). We also hope in the Lord's mercy (Psalm 33:18).
The one hope is based in God (1 Peter 1:21), Christ (1 Timothy 1:1), and the Gos-pel (Colossians 1:23). Therefore, the wicked have no hope. Before one becomes a Christian, there is no hope (Ephesians 2:12). But for the righteous, there is hope (Proverbs 10:28). Jesus said, whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die (John 11:26). But he also said, why call ye me Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say (Luke 6:46)? Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), but only to those who OBEY him (Matthew 7:21). Those are the only ones who have hope. Sinners must: Believe (John 8:24), Repent (Acts 2:28), Confess Christ (Romans 10:10), and be Baptized (Mark 16:16) to be saved and have the one hope of heaven. Erring Christians must repent and pray (Acts 8:22-24; James 5:16).
Hope is the anchor of the soul that is both sure and steadfast (Hebrews 6:12). But it will only be realized AFTER Jesus returns to the earth, at which time he will sep-arate the wicked from the righteous (Matthew 25:3146). And we desire that every one of you does 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). Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come (Matthew 24:42).
An article from the DAILY CORINTHIAN (Corinth, MS)
