God Of Hope
Title: Finding Hope and Strength in God's Three-Tense Salvation
In a world often filled with uncertainty and challenges, it's easy to lose sight of the incredible hope we have in Christ. Yet, as believers, we are blessed with a salvation that spans past, present, and future - a complete work of God that offers us peace, strength, and an unshakeable foundation for living.
Let's dive into this profound truth and explore how understanding the three tenses of salvation can transform our daily walk with God.
Salvation in the Past: Justified by Faith
Our journey begins with a powerful declaration from Romans 5:1-2: "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access into this grace wherein we stand and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."
This verse encapsulates the heart of our past salvation - the moment we placed our faith in Christ. In that instant, God declared us righteous, not because of our own merits, but because of Jesus' perfect sacrifice on the cross. Our sins were nailed to that tree, buried in the depths of the sea, and put behind God's back, never to be remembered against us again.
This justification is the bedrock of our faith. It's not something we earned or could ever earn. Instead, it's a gift of grace, purchased by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. As Hebrews 9:22 reminds us, "Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins." Our past salvation is secure, unchangeable, and eternal.
Salvation in the Present: Sanctification and Spiritual Warfare
While our justification is a done deal, our present salvation involves an ongoing process of sanctification. God is actively working in our lives, conforming us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). This transformation isn't always comfortable, but it's always for our good and God's glory.
In this present tense of salvation, we find ourselves engaged in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 paints a vivid picture of our struggle: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
But take heart! God has not left us defenseless. He has provided us with the full armor of God:
- The belt of truth
- The breastplate of righteousness
- Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
- The shield of faith
- The helmet of salvation
- The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God
Each piece of this armor is crucial for standing firm in our faith and resisting the enemy's attacks. As we submit to God and resist the devil, we can trust that he will flee from us (James 4:7).
In our present salvation, we're called to "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12). This isn't a physical battle, but a spiritual one - a daily choice to trust God, obey His Word, and allow His Spirit to work in and through us.
Salvation in the Future: Our Blessed Hope
As powerful as our past justification and present sanctification are, there's still more to come. Our salvation has a future tense - a glorious hope that awaits us.
The apostle Paul speaks of this future salvation as our "blessed hope" - the return of Christ and our ultimate glorification. Titus 2:13 describes it as "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ."
This hope isn't just a far-off dream. It's a present reality that should shape how we live today. As 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 beautifully puts it: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
Our future salvation gives us the strength to persevere through trials, knowing that what awaits us far outweighs any temporary struggles we may face.
Living in Light of Three-Tense Salvation
Understanding salvation in its past, present, and future tenses should radically transform how we live. Here are a few practical implications:
1. Rest in God's finished work: Our past justification means we don't have to strive to earn God's love or acceptance. It's already ours in Christ.
2. Cooperate with God's present work: Sanctification is a partnership. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, He transforms us from the inside out.
3. Look forward to God's future work: The hope of our future glorification can sustain us through life's toughest moments.
4. Live as ministers of reconciliation: 2 Corinthians 5:18 tells us that God "has reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." Our three-tense salvation equips us to share this good news with others.
5. Trust in God's abundant provision: As 2 Corinthians 9:8 assures us, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."
In conclusion, let's remember the words of that beautiful hymn: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." Our three-tense salvation - past, present, and future - is all centered on Christ. As we fix our gaze on Him, we'll find the strength, hope, and purpose we need for each day.
May we live in the light of this incredible truth, allowing it to transform our thoughts, actions, and interactions with others. For in Christ, we truly are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37), equipped for every good work and destined for eternal glory.
In a world often filled with uncertainty and challenges, it's easy to lose sight of the incredible hope we have in Christ. Yet, as believers, we are blessed with a salvation that spans past, present, and future - a complete work of God that offers us peace, strength, and an unshakeable foundation for living.
Let's dive into this profound truth and explore how understanding the three tenses of salvation can transform our daily walk with God.
Salvation in the Past: Justified by Faith
Our journey begins with a powerful declaration from Romans 5:1-2: "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access into this grace wherein we stand and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."
This verse encapsulates the heart of our past salvation - the moment we placed our faith in Christ. In that instant, God declared us righteous, not because of our own merits, but because of Jesus' perfect sacrifice on the cross. Our sins were nailed to that tree, buried in the depths of the sea, and put behind God's back, never to be remembered against us again.
This justification is the bedrock of our faith. It's not something we earned or could ever earn. Instead, it's a gift of grace, purchased by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. As Hebrews 9:22 reminds us, "Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins." Our past salvation is secure, unchangeable, and eternal.
Salvation in the Present: Sanctification and Spiritual Warfare
While our justification is a done deal, our present salvation involves an ongoing process of sanctification. God is actively working in our lives, conforming us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). This transformation isn't always comfortable, but it's always for our good and God's glory.
In this present tense of salvation, we find ourselves engaged in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 paints a vivid picture of our struggle: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
But take heart! God has not left us defenseless. He has provided us with the full armor of God:
- The belt of truth
- The breastplate of righteousness
- Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
- The shield of faith
- The helmet of salvation
- The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God
Each piece of this armor is crucial for standing firm in our faith and resisting the enemy's attacks. As we submit to God and resist the devil, we can trust that he will flee from us (James 4:7).
In our present salvation, we're called to "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12). This isn't a physical battle, but a spiritual one - a daily choice to trust God, obey His Word, and allow His Spirit to work in and through us.
Salvation in the Future: Our Blessed Hope
As powerful as our past justification and present sanctification are, there's still more to come. Our salvation has a future tense - a glorious hope that awaits us.
The apostle Paul speaks of this future salvation as our "blessed hope" - the return of Christ and our ultimate glorification. Titus 2:13 describes it as "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ."
This hope isn't just a far-off dream. It's a present reality that should shape how we live today. As 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 beautifully puts it: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
Our future salvation gives us the strength to persevere through trials, knowing that what awaits us far outweighs any temporary struggles we may face.
Living in Light of Three-Tense Salvation
Understanding salvation in its past, present, and future tenses should radically transform how we live. Here are a few practical implications:
1. Rest in God's finished work: Our past justification means we don't have to strive to earn God's love or acceptance. It's already ours in Christ.
2. Cooperate with God's present work: Sanctification is a partnership. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, He transforms us from the inside out.
3. Look forward to God's future work: The hope of our future glorification can sustain us through life's toughest moments.
4. Live as ministers of reconciliation: 2 Corinthians 5:18 tells us that God "has reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." Our three-tense salvation equips us to share this good news with others.
5. Trust in God's abundant provision: As 2 Corinthians 9:8 assures us, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."
In conclusion, let's remember the words of that beautiful hymn: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." Our three-tense salvation - past, present, and future - is all centered on Christ. As we fix our gaze on Him, we'll find the strength, hope, and purpose we need for each day.
May we live in the light of this incredible truth, allowing it to transform our thoughts, actions, and interactions with others. For in Christ, we truly are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37), equipped for every good work and destined for eternal glory.
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