HOPE THAT TRANSFORMS: THE BELIEVER’S FUTURE HOPE AND PRESENT HOLINESS 1 John 3:3

For most of us our trials are internal — we yearn to grow (in holiness) in our Christian walk, but find sin still firmly rooted within us (Romans 7:18-20). One of our most formidable enemies is the enemy that lies within – our flesh, our sinful tendencies.

BIBLICAL HOPE ENABLES US TO SEE GOD’S PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE AND ALLOWS US NOT ONLY TO PERSEVERE FOR A LIFETIME BUT ALSO TO PURSUE HOLINESS UNTIL WE REACH OUR FINAL GOAL – CHRIST AND HIS LIKENESS!

Romans 5:4-5 BIBLICAL HOPE IS THE EAGER EXPECTATION THAT WHAT GOD HAS PROMISED IN HIS WORD WILL CERTAINLY HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.

We, Christians, are living in time between the “now” and the “not yet”. “(NOW) we are children of God … (NOT YET) what we will be …” (1 John 3:2)

Hope declares that time will surely come, when God will fulfill all that He had promised in His Word! This kind of hope helps us to look beyond our present circumstances, and enables us to ride victoriously over them.

Knowing that we are secure in God’s love and our future in Christ is sure, as children of God, in this present day and age, we are to live and experience: A. THE BLESSING OF HOPE: SECURITY OF SALVATION - “And everyone who has this hope in Him”

Contrary to the thought that the security of his salvation would cause him to become careless in his life and testimony, the correct teaching and understanding of this truth should drive the true believer to live more faithfully for his Lord.

Titus 3:7-8 Colossians 1:5 HOPE IS ROOTED IN THE GOSPEL! “the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel. ”

The Solid Rock (Hymn): My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.

1 Peter 1:3-6 1.We have a marvellous hope. 2.We have the most secure hope.

B. THE INFLUENCE OF HOPE: HOLINESS IN LIFE – “purifies himself”

“Purify means not only to get rid of the tarnishing effect of sin upon me but also to avoid sin in my whole nature and in my whole being… ( Martyn Lloyd Jones, Life in Christ, p.301 ).

“…not only that I try to separate myself from the sins I have committed in the past but beyond it…I have a desire within me to be like Christ; I am striving to be like the Lord Himself.” (Martyn Lloyd Jones, Life in Christ, p.301).

HOLINESS IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF OBEYING RULES AND REGULATIONS BUT OF UNDERSTANDING THE TRUTH CONCERNING GOD AND HIS WORK IN CHRIST ON OUR BEHALF.

HOLINESS IS A NECESSARY RESULT OF OUR BEING IN CHRIST. 1 Corinthians 1:30

“ The Christian is a man whose main possessions lie in reversion. Most men have a hope, but his is a peculiar one; and its effect is special, for it causes him to purify himself. ” - Charles Spurgeon, Purification by Hope

2 Corinthians 7:1 2 Peter 3:11-14 Hebrews 12:14 Holiness is what we already are positionally as children of God but experientially, we must seek to live it out (Phil. 2:12-13).

"You've called me to be holy, Lord, not famous; to be holy, not successful. Keep me focused today on being the person You want me to be, no matter how significant or insignificant the work You ask me to do. Amen." A.W. Tozer

C.THE VISION OF HOPE: CHRIST OUR LORD – “just as He is pure” Hebrews 7:26 Hebrews 6:18-20

Colossians 1:27 “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

2 Thess 2:16-17 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Growing in holiness: not just about fighting sin or practicing good works. Active consideration of Christ’s purity will do much to make us holy.

Hebrews 12:1-3 One of the greatest and most purifying incentives is the hope that Jesus will return and change everything from the way we know it at present.

The true Christian knows that he will finally make it because of Christ who lives in and through him.

In this life we will experience trials, tribulations, temptations and failures along the way. Only with a secure hope rooted in the faithfulness of God will we be able to weather the storms of life.

IT IS IN THE HOPE THAT CHRIST WILL COMPLETE THE WORK HE BEGAN IN US THAT WE COULD BE CONFIDENT ALLOWING US TO PERSEVERE IN LIFE AND TO PURSUE HOLINESS UNTIL WE REACH OUR GOAL – CHRIST AND HIS LIKENESS (Romans 8:29; Philippians 1:6)!