hope or the HOPE

WEBSTER'S 21ST CENTURY DICTIONARY defines hope as "belief that something good may happen". Although some people would not admit it, we all have an eternal hope. Atheists hope that God does not exist. Others hope that, if they do certain things or don't do certain things, God will allow them to enter heaven. Still others hope that God loves us so much that He will let everyone in. As the definition states, with these hopes, it is possible that the outcome will not be what was hoped for.

We as christians are different! There is a big difference between having hope and having the Hope. Many times I have heard christians say that they hope they are going to make it to heaven. We are not called to live with that uncertainty.

When we accept Christ and are baptized, we are given a gaurantee that the outcome will be what we hope for. Paul tells us, in 2nd Corinthians 5:5, that we have been given the "Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come". If we have that deposit, why would we not be sure of the outcome?

So how do you know if you have that guarantee? Jesus himself gave us the answer in Matthew 7:15-23. Jesus tells us that you will be able to tell false profits by their fruit. In Galatians 5:22, Paul gives us a list of nine fruits of the Spirit. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It is really very simple, if you have the Hope, you will have the fruits that Paul listed. And, as you grow closer to Jesus, you will produce more and better fruit.

Now, since we have this Hope, why would we fear anyone or anything? We are assured of the outcome of our lives. That is how a christian in Egypt introduced a terrorist to Christ. You see this radical Muslim terrorist wanted to know why, in the face of persecution, a christian businessman showed love and forgiveness to those who hurt him. It is easy for us to see that the christian was only exhibiting one of the fruits of the Spirit but it was totally different to the terrorist.

Ask yourself the question "what kind of fruit am I producing"? If you don't like your answer, fall to your knees and ask God for help! None of us can continue to produce good fruit on our own, we must stay connected to the vine that is Jesus.