“Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel.” Colossians 1:5
October 9, 2024
What is your reputation like? When people hear about you what are some of the things that come to mind? High School yearbooks have been known to have senior superlatives – most talented, most intellectual, and most athletic are a few of the reputations that may precede the graduates. One of those superlatives who is singled out in God’s school of faith is most hopeful. At least that was true in the church in the city of Colosse. Paul was thankful for those who were looking forward to the future. Is this part of our reputation? Hope rests upon the work of Christ in the future, the reality of being with Christ upon death and/or the Rapture. Faith and love are based on our hope in Christ. Hope is our memory of the future. What effect is the gospel having in your life? Are you learning to take God at His Word? Are you breaking out of the straight jacket of selfishness and learning what it means to love others? Is the reality of one day seeing Jesus Christ shaping your reputation here and now?
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“O Lord, show me how to live so that my hope produces the willingness to sacrifice the present on the altar of the future.”