Words of Hope

A Word Study on the Biblical Word "Hope"

Study #56 - Rejoicing in Hope

In our last post we ended with a listing of some of the phrases found in the Epistles of the New Testament that describe the abounding hope given to the believer in Christ Jesus.  The first of these is found in Romans 5:1,2 - "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."  The Apostle Paul has spent five chapters expounding upon the great Gospel truth of justification by faith alone.  And now at chapter five we come to a "therefore" which indicates a shift from doctrinal facts to practical application of those facts:  from the cause of our justification before God to the effects of our justification from God.  "Being justified by faith" = the basis of our salvation; "We have therefore" = the benefits of our salvation.  It is due solely to God's grace received through faith in Christ that these benefits and blessings are ours; they cannot be received any other way, nor can they belong to those outside of faith in Him.  What are some of the results of our justification through Christ?  1) Peace with God; 2) Access into God's grace; and 3) Hope of God's glory!  God is at peace with the justified believer; We are at peace with Him.  The enmity between us has been removed and the conflict is forever ended (see Ephesians 2:13,14).  The justified believer has access into the grace of God.  Our entrance into grace (God's unmerited favor and approval) is freely granted; Our standing in grace is fully guaranteed (see Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 4:16; 10:19-22).  Both are given by God's grace and both are received by faith in Christ.  And the believer may rejoice in the expectation (hope) of the glory of God!  But what does this mean exactly?  What is this "glory of God" that we may joyfully expect to receive?  Godet defines it as "the glorious state which God Himself possesses, and into which He will admit the faithful."  In other words it is what theologians call "the glorification of the believer" in eternity.  This "glorification" will consist of an unimaginable and indescribable change in the believer that will complete our salvation and crown our Savior's work in us.  It will entail at least two amazing things that will equip us for dwelling forever in the Presence of God's absolute Perfection and Holiness:  1) The transference of God's communicable attributes to us.  In some way God will share His glory with us.  We will not be deified or become "little gods" as some claim, but we will participate to some degree in the fulness of his love, mercy, grace and goodness as He imparts these aspects of His glory to us for all eternity.  "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and join-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:17,18).  2) The transformation of the believer by God's glory.  We will be given a new body like unto Christ's glorious body:  eternally pure and free from sin's penalty, power, practice and presence!  The old sin nature will finally be eradicated entirely and forever.  Our spirit will dominate us rather than the flesh.  We will finally enjoy all that is pure, holy, righteous and good without the taint and temptation of the old man.  We will be enabled to love God and to enjoy Him forever!  "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body ..." (Philippians 3:20,21).  "As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (I Corinthians 15:48,49).  This is the hope of the Glory of God in which we may rejoice!  Such a hope may remain confident even in the midst of trials and tribulations - "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also" (Romans 5:3).  In fact, such a hope is made stronger by tribulations - "knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience hope" (vs.3,4).  Our being tested and tried serves only to increase our hope, not diminish it.  And such a hope will never disappoint us - "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (vs.5).  How can we dare to claim such a strong hope?  Because the basis of our hope of future glorification is Christ dwelling in us:  "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col.1:27). How amazing is God's grace to us in Christ.  We who as sinners all "fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) are now made to "rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:2).  The only difference being that by faith in Christ we are now justified before God!