The Reason For The Hope That I Have

Tomorrow night in Bible study, we're going to look at 1 Peter 3:8-22 and talk about the reason for the hope that we have (since the Bible tells us to be prepared on the topic). I did some thinking on the topic and decided to write my thoughts down which I then thought would make for a good post on this blog. So here ya go.

1 Peter 3:15 - "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

If someone were to walk up to me today and ask me to give them the reason for the hope that I have in Christ, what would I say? Would I stare blankly at them and make something up, or would I be prepared as the Scriptures command? Well, it hasn't happened to me yet, but it could someday, so perhaps I should prepare my mind. I must keep in mind that the Scriptures also command me to do so with gentleness and respect while keeping a clear conscience which means that I need to tell the truth.

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God..." That, my friend, is a verse found in the third chapter of the book of 1 Peter, and it is the greatest news that you or I will ever hear. Regardless of what you may think about me, the truth about me is clear to me and clear to God. I am an unrighteous wretch of a man. I have thought things too wicked to speak about; I have fits of rage and seasons of laziness. I've caught myself lying, cheating, stealing, and can usually find ways to justify it all. There are days when I think the world revolves around me. I find satisfaction when sexual predators get caught on TV with minors but find myself taking second glances at girls not much older. I'm so competitive sometimes that I stop having fun. I've had days when I forget that God exists. I've had days when I forget that my wife exists. I'm not very sensitive or compassionate. My speech is often crude and vulgar. There are times when I'm careless with money and times when I hoard money. I can be a glutton and still neglect to be thankful for the food. People's best efforts often aren't good enough for me. There are days when I think way too highly of myself and days when I think way too lowly of myself. I often feel as though I'm one failed temptation away from snapping out of control. Frankly, when it comes down to it, there is nothing good in
me at all. And I have nothing of worth to offer to a holy God.

So, what then, is the reason for the hope that I have? Christianity is the only religion that can save me from myself. In every other religion, one must rely on his own strength and power and righteous actions to be saved. I wouldn't have any hope if I believed in those religions because I know that even my best works sometimes come from selfish motives. But Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring me to God, and that is why I have hope. I don't have to rely on myself for righteousness for Christ is my righteousness, and my many sins -- past, present, and future -- are now forgiven. And several years ago, Christ brought me and all of my sin to God but I was as white as snow. Christ not only saved me from myself, but he also saved me in spite of myself. And that is the reason of my hope.

But my hope doesn't stop there. Through the power of God, I have days when I simply marvel at being alive. I have days when I put myself last and others first. I have days when I love my wife unconditionally. I have days when I fight off the urge to take the second glance. I have days when I'm thankful for even the breath I have and acknowledge the provision of God in everything. I am convinced that nothing inside of me alone is capable of days like this, so I have hope... and trust that God has changed me into a new person. God doesn't break his promises. The grace he has given in the past is still here in the present and will be there tomorrow and will be there at the end. The Bible tells me that absolutely nothing can separate me from the love of God and that no one can snatch me out of my Father's hand. The Bible also tells me that I am righteous and a child of God and an heir to his kingdom. And I know deep down that I didn't deserve any of it. If I'm going to believe is something, I want it to be real. And nothing is more real that watching your own life and desires change before your own eyes. But don't let anyone tell you that Christianity is a religion for "good" people. The sick don't need a doctor, and the righteous don't need Christ. But there are none who are righteous, not even one, so we all are just a bunch of unrighteous wretches in need of the righteousness of Christ. What is the reason for the hope that I have? Quite simply, my reason is Christ. Sure, I could put hope in my own good works or my own righteousness or in my bank account or in my friends or my family or perhaps a hope that things will turn out right or that good things will happen to good people...but those wouldn't be convincing enough, and I would eventually need to find hope in something else. I assure you that out of all the things that I could possibly put my hope in -- Jesus is fairer and Jesus is purer. He was and is and will always be.


And now for a hymn ("Fairest Lord Jesus")...

Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature,
O thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer
who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
than all the angels heaven can boast.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
now and forevermore be thine.