Purpose of Hope

Much has been instructed on hope, but how do you discern between when it is genuine or presumptuous? They might say "all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation" (2Pe 3:14) so why worry about it? However, these observers would be "strangers to the covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the world" (Eph 2:12). Therefore be "ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you" (1Pe 3:15). We "through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God" (1:21). God has "furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead" (Ac 17:31). Witnesses give their testimony in court. There were many witnesses to Jesus' death and resurrection. God's testimony is "that He has testified concerning His Son" (1Jn 5:9) and "the one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself" (:10). "If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal body" (Ro 8:11).

"After listening to the message of truth . . . having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise who is given as a pledge of our inheritance" (Eph 1:13-14). "According to His great mercy [God] has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to obtain an inheritance" (1Pe 1:3). God has "given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace" (2Th 2:16). It is "into this grace in which we stand" (Ro 5:2). Therefore "fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1Pe 1:13).