December 2nd, 20

CONFIDENT HOPE

Romans 13 - 16

Let’s end this with Paul’s pray from Romans 15:13.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

And to that I say, Amen!  That’s Pauls heart and why he’s written.  He wants God’s people to live with confident hope even in the midst of persecution.  He wants them to remember what they already know - the Gospel of Christ.  He wants them to remember to live out that Gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit.  

The only person that can live the Christian life is Christ - certainly not me, and never NOT Christ.  It’s always Him, living His life in and through us, that makes any difference in our lives or in this world.  Paul knows that they know, but he wants to remind them of what they know.  And, oh, how we need to be reminded. Paul actually says, 

You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them. Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. (Rm 15:14 - 15 NLT)

Paul’s reminder is that our life, our ministry, our call, is to be lived out, in the power of the Holy Spirit, through the abiding life of Christ.   This life in Christ is the source of our confident hope.

That’s the key.  When Paul considers his own work he says,

Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God...(Rm 15:18 NLT).

That’s the key for all of us - Christ in you.  Paul says, I’m not ashamed of this gospel. 

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes--the Jew first and also the Gentile. (Rm 1:16 NLT)

This Gospel has the power to change a life.  And this Gospel is accomplished, from start to finish, by Him.  

Be confident in Him.  Let the reality of his work and life, in you, fill you with confident hope. 

May we all press forward in the confidence of Christ - his abiding life in us.  Regardless, of what we encounter in this life, whether things given, or things taken away - through it all may we be able to stand in confident hope - not in our own selves or circumstances, but entirely on Him.  He is thoroughly good, completely able.  He works things out according to his own purposes and plans and for our good.

You are loved!