Monday musings
I recently heard the statement, "hope is not a business plan". In one sense I agree, but disagree in another sense. Hope, generally speaking, is little more than wishful thinking - "I hope to get a good job ... I hope to retire some day ... I hope everything turns out all right ... etc." But, biblical hope is the best "business plan" for anyone's life.
"The hope of the righteous is gladness" (Proverbs 10.28)
The hope of God's people is far more than wishful thinking. True hope brings gladness, because that hope motivates. We eagerly expect to receive what our Father has promised, and so that hope filters down into what we do, and don't do. This passages sums it up well:
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God, and Savior, Christ Jesus" (Titus 2.11-13)
In our Father's system, hope really IS a great "business plan". Knowing that our ultimate destiny is the gift of immortality at the return of Christ, and privileged status in serving the government of Christ on earth (Revelation 20.6), our lifestyle is radically impacted. Making sure that we in no way forfeit our privileges, we "deny ungodliness and worldly desires". This great hope, then, directs us to "live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age".
Good sense in this age is sadly lacking. Disastrous decisions are often made in pursuit of pleasure and leisure. God's people sometimes become so immersed in things of this world that they are almost completely disengaged from things pertaining to the kingdom of God and the King. Hope, however, has the potential to bring our wayward lives back on task and target.
"The righteous will never be shaken, But the wicked will not dwell in the land." (Proverbs 10.30) People locked in on biblical hope will remain faithful and true. While the wicked will not dwell in the land, it is the hope of God's people to do so "(the meek will inherit the earth" - Matthew 5.5)
May hope be powerful motivation for you this day - and every day.
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
"The hope of the righteous is gladness" (Proverbs 10.28)
The hope of God's people is far more than wishful thinking. True hope brings gladness, because that hope motivates. We eagerly expect to receive what our Father has promised, and so that hope filters down into what we do, and don't do. This passages sums it up well:
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God, and Savior, Christ Jesus" (Titus 2.11-13)
In our Father's system, hope really IS a great "business plan". Knowing that our ultimate destiny is the gift of immortality at the return of Christ, and privileged status in serving the government of Christ on earth (Revelation 20.6), our lifestyle is radically impacted. Making sure that we in no way forfeit our privileges, we "deny ungodliness and worldly desires". This great hope, then, directs us to "live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age".
Good sense in this age is sadly lacking. Disastrous decisions are often made in pursuit of pleasure and leisure. God's people sometimes become so immersed in things of this world that they are almost completely disengaged from things pertaining to the kingdom of God and the King. Hope, however, has the potential to bring our wayward lives back on task and target.
"The righteous will never be shaken, But the wicked will not dwell in the land." (Proverbs 10.30) People locked in on biblical hope will remain faithful and true. While the wicked will not dwell in the land, it is the hope of God's people to do so "(the meek will inherit the earth" - Matthew 5.5)
May hope be powerful motivation for you this day - and every day.
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
posted by steve @ 8:51 AM
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