HOPE!

Hope

A Quality of those Living the Victorious Christian Life.

There is a definite contrast in the thinking and attitude of those living a victorious Christian life and those living in bondage, and addiction.  People living in victory have hope, and optimism. They know their identity in Jesus Christ.  People in bondage, on the other hand, feel a sense of hopelessness.  They operate under the assumption there is no escape from their addiction. They believe: I am a helpless, incurable addict who is never going to change.  It is this lie of Satan that keeps people in bondage.  If one continues to believe their situation is without hope, they will not change. Victory begins with a change in your thinking and attitude from hopelessness to hope.

This hope begins with our salvation.

At RU, we call this the first step. You can learn more about this first step by visiting our website: http://www.reformude.com/first-step.html  It is at the time of salvation when a person changes. 

This hope is based on God’s promise of victory eternally.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (KJV) ⁵⁵ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This victory is eternal.  This victory is in Jesus Christ.  This victory is a promise of God.

John 3:16 (KJV) ¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1 John 5:13 (KJV) ¹³ These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Most Christians rejoice, understand, and praise God for their salvation.  They realize their righteousness was insufficient and their salvation was by God’s grace.  They know when this life ends, victory is won and that the victory was won when Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died, was buried and rose again.  They know they have eternal life in Heaven with their Lord and Savior.

This hope is based on God’s promise of victory now.

1 Corinthians 15:57 (KJV) ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:37 (KJV) ³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
2 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV) ¹⁴ Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

The Bible is promising victory here and now through Jesus Christ.  Regardless of our present condition or circumstance, Jesus Christ provides victory.  It is already won!  Our beliefs determine the difference between victory and defeat.  Choose today to start believing that victory is won. 

Many times people see God giving victory to others, but erroneously believe God will not do it for them.  Yes He will!  God is not a respecter of persons.  What God promises for one, He promises for all.

Acts 10:34 (KJV) ³⁴ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

If a person believes the Christian life will not work, freedom is not possible.  As long as they believe this false teaching, it will not work for them. 

Our society has been sold a bill of goods that the problems of the alcoholic, drug addict, anorexic, bulimic, or sexual addict are so different from each other that each needs some specialist to understand the problem.   Granted, each of these addictions involves many different factors, but because the behavior is different we wrongly believe each problem is unique and requires a different answer.  All addiction and destructive behavior have a root cause.  All can be traced to the human sin nature and a work of the flesh.  But, regardless of what is keeping you in bondage, only the truth can make you free.    Our RU slogan is: Only the Truth makes Free.  It is based on John 8:32.

John 8:32 (KJV) ³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Learning the truth and learning to implement the truth into our lives will set us free.  Does the truth work?  It is promised in God’s Word.  It is this faith in the promises of God that gives each Christian hope. 

                We are more than conquerors.

                We have been given the victory.

                We should be full of hope.

Romans 15:13 (KJV) ¹³ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
John 14:20 (KJV) ²⁰ At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.