Hope: A Sure Thing

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23 (KJV)

This says that all of sinful mankind comes short of God’s glory, or God’s glorious standard, which is His Word. However, things look much better when we read Romans 5:1-5.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 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 5:1-5 (KJV) emphasis mine

We are made right by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. By Him, we have access by faith into His grace, or His provision for us. In this grace we stand and rejoice in hope. Hope is elpis in the Greek. It means happy anticipation of good, favorable and confident expectation, the divine exchange.

We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. In Christ we now meet God’s standards for us so we can face any tribulation or trial. As we go through difficulties, we gain patience and then experience, which gives us hope that we can go through whatever we face. God’s hope does not make us ashamed or disappoint us because God’s love is shed abroad in our hearts. The Holy Spirit continues to flood our hearts with the love of God that never fails. Jesus’ faith, hope, love, and Holy Spirit are some of the guarantees we have that God’s promises will come to pass for us. What a glorious hope!