Putting It All Together

In our preceding 11 studies we have been thinking about the Christian's hope for the future. In doing so, we have looked back to God's past dealings with mankind as well as forwards. The Christian faith, which we live out day-by-day in the present, is connected both to what God has done in the past and what He will do in the future. Our salvation, rooted in what Jesus has done for us, is something we experience in the here and now, but it will be fully revealed in the future. Jesus died in the past. Jesus is alive in the present. Jesus will return in the future. Concerning our salvation, we have been saved, we are being saved and we will be saved.

'He has saved us and called us to a holy life, not because of anything we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.'

2 Timothy 1:9

'For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.'1 

Corinthians 1:18

'Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!'

Romans 5:9-10

The Christian faith, with its roots in the story of the people of Israel, has a beginning and an end. Many other religions, especially those of eastern origin, see history as going round in endless circles. Many philosophies see history with no purpose but rather as a series of random events. But for the Christian, history has a purpose and a goal. We have a destiny. There is a destination.?

'And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.'

Matthew 24:14

Why is this important? Is it just interesting information, or does it influence our thinking and actions in the here and now? The Christian hope for the future is hugely important, so as we draw to a close here is a summary of some of the benefits we have been thinking about in this series.

First, it gives meaning to our lives. We are part of something that God is doing. We partner with Him in his purposes. We can think of it as a drama or a symphony. Everyone has a part to play. Some people are specially gifted by God to play an important and very prominent role in God's purposes. Most of us are minor characters in the drama. But the consequences of our seemingly unimportant decisions and actions affect others in ways beyond our imagination. So, things that seem minor to us may turn out to be major. Only God knows. Our responsibility is to align our abilities and opportunities with what we understand God is doing and leave it to Him to orchestrate the whole cast! To change the metaphor, we are in a relay race. We run our lap and we pass the baton on. 

'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.'

Hebrews 12:1

Second, it gives us perspective, especially in times of hardship. We know that there is a glory to be revealed that will transcend and outweigh all sufferings of the present. We have the spiritual resources to persevere when times are tough.

'I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.'

Romans 8:18

Third, it gives us a sense of proportion. It is very easy to allow relatively minor matters to provoke an attitude of discontent and negativity. But we know that ultimately the Lamb (Jesus) will triumph over all evil. 

'For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.'

2 Corinthians 4:17

Fourthly, as we look back, we can appreciate how much Christians owe to the Jewish people. We share common roots. As Paul writes in Romans 9-11, to the people of Israel God entrusted so much and He has allowed us to be grafted into their heritage. The Jews have, as history shows, paid a heavy price as part of their calling, but it is their rejection of the gospel that opened the opportunity for the rest of us to benefit. The fulfilment of God's purposes is that the blessing promised to Abraham and his descendants should eventually be shared by the rest of the world which includes Palestinians. The situation is very complicated. We cannot endorse everything that happens in the name of the modern secular State of Israel. But we can have confidence that there will, one day, be a solution to the problems of the Middle East.

'I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.  And so, all Israel will be saved. Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs.  For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. Just as you who formerly disobeyed God have now received mercy through their disobedience, so they too have now disobeyed, in order that they too may now receive mercy through the mercy shown to you.'

Romans 11:25-32

Fifthly, we understand very well that we live in a world where there is conflict on multiple levels. Within each one of us there is the war of flesh versus spirit. Between each other there is the potential for disharmony and disunity. Within societies and cultures, there are structures of injustice and discrimination. On the level of nations, there is the ever-present potential for war. The exploitation of the resources of our planet has greatly increased conflict with the environment. Paul talks about an invisible spiritual hierarchy of wickedness that opposes God's kingdom. All of this is summed up in the language of cosmic conflict. But we have the promise that there will be a day when all things are reconciled to God. 

'Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.'

Genesis 3:17-19

'For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.'

Colossians 1:19-20

Finally, as Christians we are called to be countercultural in our lives and witness. We do this knowing that Christ has already won the victory. Success is assured. We wrestle, but we are not fighting for victory but rather fighting from a position of victory. This enables us to live with conviction and confidence.

'I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.'

Ephesians 1:18-23

The Christian's hope is not a mere wish or a dream. It is something that is assured and certain. It provides us with the resources we need to be optimistic, resilient, confident, persevering, truthful, patient, loving and faithful. It is grounded in God's love for us and for His creation, which he shares with us, as He invites us to be his ambassadors, co-workers and faithful children to bring God's Kingdom reign of peace.

It is entirely appropriate that at this season of Christmas we remind ourselves and celebrate with each other the entrance of God into this world as the Prince of Peace, the full expression of whose reign we eagerly await. 

'For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders. And His name will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.'

Isaiah 9:6 

Chris Moffett