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Hope of The Glory of God

          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 boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)

 

            Five verses, three uses of the word hope. The first is the hope of the glory of God. Why should we hope in the glory of God? That sounds a little like God wanting us to swoon over Him while He kisses His biceps. Put another way, it’s God as Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. Ugh.

            Yes, I know better, but since it doesn’t mean that, what does it mean? Perhaps this will help. It's the night before a big game, and you hear someone nearby talking about how his team will make mincemeat out of your team. Isn’t your response likely to express hope of the glory of your team? You’re not on the team. You have nothing to contribute to that glory, and it won’t make you look better if they win, but because they’re your team, it’s still good if they get glorified.

            Let’s take it up a notch. Suppose we’re talking about the glory of your nation as it faces a conflict with another nation. Whoever wins the war will dictate how you get to live – perhaps if you get to live. Again, you’re not the nation’s leader. You aren’t in the military. Would you not boast in your hope of the glory of your nation?

            Let’s look at the second use tomorrow. The third is that hope does not put us to shame. At first glance, this seems to make no more sense than the first. How many times have we hoped that God would do something? When He didn’t, didn’t we feel ashamed? How often do people mock, ridicule, and shame those who claim to hope in God?  

            Let’s take it back to the team or national level. Suppose you knew the coach or leader and got inside information about the upcoming conflict or competition. Suppose you have watched the coach/leader over the years. Wouldn’t that strengthen – or destroy  - your hope? God gives us His Spirit, who teaches us about God. That gives us the experience and reason to hope in God more. After all, as we get to know someone, it’s reasonable to hope in their behavior as we have experienced them behaving in the time we’ve known them.

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