And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
—Romans 5:5 (KJV)
Hope has become such a "wimpy" term in modern vocabulary. It hardly qualifies as an adequate translation of the meaning in most New Testament passages. Christian hope is the assurance that what we believe will happen. We could call it spiritual confidence. We have that confidence because of what Jesus did historically in conquering death. Our hope is based on more than a mere wish, a fleeting emotion, or something we dream up in ourselves. Our hope is rooted in this promise: just as the power of God raised Jesus from the dead, the almighty and eternal God has chosen to live in us, with power, through his Holy Spirit. When we become disciples of Jesus, our LORD pours out the Spirit upon us (Titus 3:3-7) as God's gift to us (Acts 2:38; Acts 5:32) to cleanse us (1 Corinthians 6:11) and make us God's dear children (John 3:3-7). The Spirit also makes us a part of Christ's Body, his church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), living inside us as the Spirit pours his love and power into us and works through us. We are not just given the Spirit at our conversion. God keeps refreshing us by continually pouring his love and power into us through the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus promised (John 7:37-39).
Holy and Almighty God, you are awesome in power and majestic in holiness. Thank you for coming to us in Jesus and living in us through your Spirit. We trust that you are pouring your love into our hearts so that the fruit of your grace may flow from us with your love so they can experience your grace. Thank you, in Jesus' name. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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—Romans 5:5 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Hope has become such a "wimpy" term in modern vocabulary. It hardly qualifies as an adequate translation of the meaning in most New Testament passages. Christian hope is the assurance that what we believe will happen. We could call it spiritual confidence. We have that confidence because of what Jesus did historically in conquering death. Our hope is based on more than a mere wish, a fleeting emotion, or something we dream up in ourselves. Our hope is rooted in this promise: just as the power of God raised Jesus from the dead, the almighty and eternal God has chosen to live in us, with power, through his Holy Spirit. When we become disciples of Jesus, our LORD pours out the Spirit upon us (Titus 3:3-7) as God's gift to us (Acts 2:38; Acts 5:32) to cleanse us (1 Corinthians 6:11) and make us God's dear children (John 3:3-7). The Spirit also makes us a part of Christ's Body, his church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), living inside us as the Spirit pours his love and power into us and works through us. We are not just given the Spirit at our conversion. God keeps refreshing us by continually pouring his love and power into us through the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus promised (John 7:37-39).
My Prayer...
Holy and Almighty God, you are awesome in power and majestic in holiness. Thank you for coming to us in Jesus and living in us through your Spirit. We trust that you are pouring your love into our hearts so that the fruit of your grace may flow from us with your love so they can experience your grace. Thank you, in Jesus' name. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
