hope

     Christians look forward with hope to the joy of being with Christ in glory forever.  Faith is defined as "the assurance of things hoped for" (Heb. 11:1) because the invisible things hoped for in the future are grasped through faith.  Hope is certain; it is "a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul" (Heb 6:18, 19).  According to the Bible, Christ is "our hope" (1 Tim. 1:1), and our God is called the "God of hope" (Rom. 15:13).
     An ethic of hope pervades the New Testament.  It is an ethic of pilgrimage for strangers on their way home (Heb. 11:13; 1 Pet. 2:11).  It is an ethic of purity, as the one who hopes to be like Jesus when He appears "purifies himself as he is pure" (1 John 3:2).  It is an ethic of preparedness, since we should be ready to leave this world at any time (2 Cor. 5:6-8; Phil. 1:21-24; cf. Luke 12:15-21).  Hope calls us to be patient (Rom. 8:25; cf. 5:1-5).  Hope gives strength and confidence for running the race, fighting the good fight, and enduring tribulations that continue in this life (John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom. 8:18; 2 Tim. 4:7, 8).
     Though the Christian life is marked more by suffering then triumph (Acts 14:22; 1 Cor. 4:8-13; 2 Cor. 4:7-18), our hope is sure and our mood should be free from despair (1 John 4:18).