Our Blessed Hope

People put their hope in a lot of things. Unfortunately, the understanding of the word "hope" in our culture today represents the idea of a wish. "I hope I get to __________." "I hope __________ wins the game." "I hope...I hope...I hope."

But biblically, the idea of hope is something that is certain. It is not a verb, it is a noun. And in Titus, chapter 2, it is more than just any hope, it is our blessed hope. This hope is something for which we are to wait. This hope is something which should impact our lives. This hope is the return of Jesus - "the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. (v. 13).

The hope of this passage is truly found in Jesus and His future appearance. But v. 11 says that God's grace has appeared. It has appeared for all people (v. 11), for all lawlessness (v. 14). What does this mean? Jesus work on the cross was for all people covering all sin for all time. It was not cheap (costing Jesus His life). Thus the cost was paid in full. He redeemed us that we might serve Him zealously (v. 14).

Paul says that this grace trains us to lead our lives for Him. It is not automatic, it requires diligence. It teaches us to live self-controlled (with discipline) and enable us to live godly lives as we wait. And indeed, we are to wait. But we are not to be idle while we wait. We are to be in training while we wait. We are to become more godly while we wait.

And it is all possible by the grace of God.

And it is all for the glory of God.

Our hope is from a grace that has appeared (v. 11), and for a glory that will appear (v. 13). It is the true hope of all who truly believe. This grace, and the hope that comes with it, is available to all. Yet, not everyone has it. Why? Perhaps it is because they have not truly experienced His grace.

Each of us must ask where our hope lies. Is it in Jesus? Or do we place our hope in something less?

Do we place our hope in something certain? Or do we have "wishes" in the questionable?

Paul called the hope of Christ's return "our blessed hope". I am still learning to keep my hope purely in Christ. But by His grace, I am getting closer. By His grace, you can too.