Living Hope, Future Hope

Last week in my Sunday Bible Class we talked about grace and peace.  We discussed how God's grace has been poured out upon us and how it goes beyond our salvation.  We talked about how grace covers every area of our lives - breaking sinful addictions, supplying strength to endure trials or temptation, enabling us to repent and live in faith.  Grace is the foundation of our being, the ground beneath our feet, the perfect picture of God's amazing love.  This week, the discussion willl focus on "future grace" - the gracious gift that God has promised to those who believe.

In 1 Peter 1:3-5 we see the apostle briefly mentioning our "living hope."  He talks about what it is, how we received it, and what it will consist of.  And just reading those few verses brings tears to my eyes.  When I think of the gift that is waiting for me, the hope that carries me through life each day, it gives me joy and gladness!

Here's what I am talking about: When we were saved, when we placed our faith in Christ and He washed away our sins, we weren't just given forgiveness.  We weren't just reconciled to God.  We were not just saved from sin.  All that would have been enough.  But being saved brought about so much more than we could have ever dreamed of, more than we tend to consider in daily life. 

When we were saved, we were adopted into God's family, we became His sons and daughters.  He became our Father.  We were welcomed into a personal relationship with God.  Just as children are sometimes given an inheritance, a future blessing that awaits them, that will be released to them at a certain time down the road, in that same way, we were promised an inheritance when we came to Christ.  But our inheritance, our future gift, is not one of money or possessions or any earthly treasure.  It's not even status or prominence.  It is what the Bible refers to as "incorruptible, undefiled."  Our inheritance is our home in heaven.

As Christians, God's people, we have been promised an eternity in God's kingdom. This is our future.  This is what we have to look forward to.  When life fades away, when we have reached the end of our road, we will be ushered generously into that heavenly kingdom, to reside with our Master forever. 

One day this life will be over and God will take us home to be with Him.  How amazing is that?  John Piper calls it "future grace."  And it is future grace.   The fact that we get to dwell in God's presence for eternity is a gift given to us only by grace.  Who deserves such an astounding gift?  I know I don't.  I will never be able to live holy enough to earn my spot in heaven.  It is a gift of grace. A gift that we can never be worthy of.  A gift given to us freely by a loving and compassionate God.

This whole idea should transform the way we live today.  It should make a huge difference in how we handle the situations in our lives.  It should change how we treat people, how zealous we are about proclaiming the gospel, how we endure hardships, how we battle sin. 

When life begins to hurt, when the tears won't stop falling.

When temptation is overwhelming and the battle with sin is raging.

When the evil in the world seems too much to bear, too much to conquer.

When all of these things collide to make a world full of pain and sorrow, remember these words:

We are almost home.

And take comfort in that.  Look forward to the gift that has been promised to you.  And rejoice.  Cry a little.  I won't tell anyone.

Promise.