Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? Romans 8,23-24
What is our hope as Christians? What is your hope?
It all starts with Jesus. Through him, heaven came down on earth and God became king. Sounds kind of strange to you? Well, this is what the four Gospels in the Bible are all about. Let me explain!
We all know the story; Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected on the third day. What is the meaning of that? Through Jesus’ death, we are freed from our sins. We are reconciled with God and enjoy our relationship with him and the freedom it brings. But there is much more! The freedom and love we experience now is only a glimpse of what is to come in the future. At the end of time, we will be fully redeemed and resurrected with transformed bodies.
In Luke 24,1-6, we read that the tomb was empty and in John 20,25-27, we read about the scars of the crucifixion on Jesus’ resurrected body. Jesus got a new body, as will we:
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3, 20-21
This is what we were always intended to be; a bearer of God’s glorious image.
Our hope is in Jesus Christ and not in the things of the world. Fame, money, possessions or relationships can’t give you eternal life. Those things can’t fill you up and give you the freedom we have in Christ. Only he can save us and bring us true, lasting fulfillment!
And guys, it’s getting even better…
Not only do we have eternal life at some point yet to come, but we have life to the fullest right now here on earth. It has never been God’s intention to take his people up in heaven, a place far away at the end of time. No, he wants to establish his kingdom here on earth trough his son Jesus Christ.
This is the reason why we should pray in Matthew 6, 10 “Your kingdom come”.
But Jesus is gone. What now? He left us the Holy Spirit, who lives in every believer who repents and is baptized (Acts. 2, 38). Through the Holy Spirit, God wants to continue the work he has started in Christ. We are called to be his agents to bring heaven to earth. We are God’s stewards here on earth. Our mission is to be lead by him to do our job so that his kingdom can be established right here where we are with God as king.
And there is the beautiful thing: God isn’t a king who rules through violence or manipulation. Rather, he reigns through love, justice, grace, joy and peace. The Sermon on the Mount draws a beautiful picture on what it looks like when God is king. There are people who love and help each other, the poor have enough to eat, peace rules and enemies are reconciled with one another.
This is our hope as Christans. Not only do we have eternal life in the presence of the highest God, but we can also experience a glimpse of this reality here on earth. We can see Gods work in the love that he shares with his people.
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