Hope in Christ
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”
Romans 5:1-6
This is what it’s all about for a Christian, hope in Christ. We are justified by our faith in Christ.
We have gained access to the very throne room of the creator of the universe to the God himself.
We as Christians have a personal relationship with God. It is what allows us to go through all kinds of suffering and trials be they minor or major. And many Christians in the world today need God’s help to simply live from day to day.
“Today as I write this there are approximately 2.2million Christians on the earth making it the largest religion in the world.
Last November, German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world.
Rupert Short in a research report for Civitas UK states,
"Christians are targeted more than any other body of believers." Short is the author of the recently published Christianophobia: A Faith Under Attack. He is concerned that "200 million Christians (10 percent of the global total) are socially disadvantaged, harassed or actively oppressed for their beliefs."
It’s not a new thing it’s been happening from the earliest days of Christianity. The disciples were persecuted, Paul was stoned and left for dead. Christians through the centuries have had times when persecution has been high.
That however has not stopped the Christians.
Acts chapter five gives an example. They, apostles had been told by the religious of their day not to preach in the name of Jesus. They continued to do so.
It infuriated the leaders who wanted to put them to death. However cooler heads took over the author of Acts recording
“But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men....
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:34,35,38,39.
C. S. Lewis made an interesting statement,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
If Christianity is wrong those who oppose it have nothing to fear. However if it is to quote a phrase “the real deal” they have everything to fear because if is, those who oppose Christianity are fighting against God.
I believe all who oppose Jesus have a lot to fear especially those who persecute us. Even if they are not brought to justice in this life they will one day stand before a God that will judge them justly for their actions.
As Christians we cannot give up because of persecution. Nor will we give up hope.
As Christians we have the most important anyone could have for the world. A message directly from God. Spoken by Jesus himself,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17
This is a message of hope for all mankind.
Dear reader do you have a hope that when you leave this earth you will inherit eternal life?
Think about it.
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