Reason and Hope!

I came across a statement several weeks ago which I had to set aside and give some more thought to. As I was doing some other studying this morning it came to mind again and I think it is worth considering. Here it is: “An atheist has a reason but no hope for his reason. A hypocrite has a hope but no reason for his hope. A Christian has a reason for his hope and a hope for his reason.” [source: “Sentence Sermons”]

If you are like me, you might have to read that statement over several times for it to sink in. Those who refuse to believe in God and His standard for life do a lot of reasoning, but for them there is no hope beyond the things of this realm. Since they do not believe in God there is no eternity to believe in either. The hypocrite believes in the hope God offers, but in refusing to wholeheartedly turn their allegiance to His Will they may never realize that hope. To attempt to live with one foot in the kingdom and one in the world is a hopeless endeavor. There is no compatibility. (i.e. 2 Corinthians 6:14-15) However, to be a true Christian we can find REASON FOR OUR HOPE and HOPE FOR OUR REASON!

Peter exhorted…
“but IN YOUR HEARTS REGARD CHRIST THE LORD AS HOLY, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a REASON FOR THE HOPE that is in you;” ( 1 Peter 3:15)

The American Standard Version reads: “sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord”. For us as Christians there is both an element of conviction and encouragement in Peter’s statement. We must be sincere with regard to our submission to God. We should also be encouraged in knowing it is in our relationship to God through the Son that we have a steadfast assurance of HOPE. Christ must be set apart as Lord. Nothing else and no one else is to have that place. He is to be continually viewed above all else as the Lord of our life. It cannot be any other way. We must be convicted by this truth. Then we can rejoice in the REASON FOR THE HOPE we have regardless of what may be going on around us.

Unlike the atheist, we have HOPE FOR OUR REASON because we have accepted the purposes of God for our life, recognizing His wisdom above all else. Yes, our walk with God and our hope for the future requires some faith, but I don’t believe it demands quite as much faith as needed to accept some of the theories embraced by unbelievers.

Also, unlike the hypocrite, we have REASON FOR OUR HOPE because we have accepted the truth that Jesus is THE Way, Truth, and Life; the only Access to the Father. ( John 14:6) We therefore recognize the need to die to self (and to sin and the world) that we can live completely for Him.

Because of Christ, may we (like Paul) be able to trustfully declare…
“(8) We are afflicted in every way, BUT NOT CRUSHED; perplexed, BUT NOT DRIVEN TO DESPAIR; (9) persecuted, BUT NOT FORSAKEN; struck down, BUT NOT DESTROYED; (10) always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that THE LIFE OF JESUS MAY ALSO BE MANIFESTED IN OUR BODIES.” ( 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 ESV)

Truly living under the Lordship of Christ will provide a HOPE that will not disappoint us. ( Romans 5:5) May Christ be maintained as our REASON for living while we press on sustained by the HOPE in Him for the eternity to come.

Have a great day RECOGNIZING EVERY REASON FOR HOPE IN CHRIST!
Carl

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