…since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.(Colossians 1:4-5 – ESV)
When we see faith, hope and love in others we have discipled, it is an encouragement to and an incentive in prayer, as it was for Paul and his team. Recall Philippians 2:16-18 – Paul knew that his work really abided in people, so that if those people did not continue on strong with the Lord, there was a sense in which he felt his own ministry was in vain (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). This is the true heart of a shepherd, having fewer burdens for one’s self than for others, and not being content just with one’s own relationship with God, but longing to see others walking with the Lord. Paul was thankful that this church was trying to grow in the faith, and that is why he prayed for their increase (Colossians 1:9-11).
This wasn’t just a matter of feeling; it was a matter of fervency (1 Peter 1:22). It is not an emotional love, although it may have an emotional element to it. It is a love for the truth, a love for those in the truth, and a love to spread the truth. The fruit we see, faith in Jesus Christ and love for the saints are predicated on the hope we have in heaven. The more we focus on our heavenly destiny the more we will see and experience this fruit. This does not make us a bunch of monks living in a Christian ghetto, with an “us four and no more” mentality. On the contrary, such a hope is not to the exclusion of being active on earth, but to motivate us to action on earth. Our faithfulness and our fellowship will increase. What we love governs the way we live. Hope precedes faith, and faith precedes faithfulness.
John Piper, in his commentary on these verses, says this: Only one thing satisfies the heart whose treasure is in heaven: doing the works of heaven. And heaven is a world of love! It is not the cords of heaven that bind the hands of love. It is the love of money and leisure and comfort and praise – these are the cords that bind the hands of love. And the power to sever these cords is Christian hope. I say it again with all the conviction that lies within me: it is not heavenly-mindedness that hinders love on this earth. It is worldly-mindedness. And therefore the great fountain of love is the powerful, freeing confidence of Christian hope!
Look at what the Apostle says in 1 Peter 1:3-10, 13-17, 22 – we have a hope, so set your mind on that hope, and act in accordance with that hope. Peter and Paul agree – the harmony of the Scriptures – hope bears loving fruit.
13 comments:
Sometimes, I just don't know what to have hope in - I understand the hope of heaven, hoping for the salvation of the nonbelievers, hoping for the growth of believers - those things are clearly spelled out - but what about hope for things that are not so clearly spelled out? The are not forbidden and in fact encouraged - say marriage since that is actually what I am thinking about tonight - how do you know what God's will is for your life and therefore what to hope for - remembering, hope deferred makes the heart sick... so sometimes it seems better to just give up and not hope any more.
Good points as usual. Man that fruit looks good.
Have hope in the bottom line...Romans 8:28-39
Certainly there are times when our hopes wane for things we desire, even things we desre in a godly fashion, and the trials of pain because of it seem great, but I truly believe this is an application of what Peter was talking about in his first epistle, first chapter, and so I would ask you to read the verses highlighted in the last paragraph again, slowly, carefully, with a mind to hear God apply them to your situation...
Psalm 62:5
Keep asking, seeking, knocking, and trust God despite the outcome...
Prayers for you and blessings to you...
I would be remiss if I didn't also say that your show of candor and concern is appreciated.
Obviously these type of things are very real, felt by many, including myself, at times, and are important things to discuss...
Even though we have different lives, we have the same Savior, and are part of the same Body, and have similar experiences and struggles, not everyone will be struggling with single or marriage issues today, but we all have things we are hoping for, and the feeling of fleeting hope is an issue we all need help with, and so in a very real sense we are all in this together, and so thank you for allowing our mutual hope in heaven to show forth in concern and love for other saints...
JD- "concern and love for other saints"
I think thats the one thing that draws me to your friendship and your eldership above me. I have felt that from you since the beginning, even before you were seated in the Pastoral possition you are now in.
I also feel those things that "halfmom" wrote about, though as you said, in different ways. I took the time to read through those scriptures you meantioned.
I have been paying close attention to what you have written on the topic of, "(not)being sold out" for God.
It seems so hard to continually make that right choice. How it is that I see some that are able to keep a constance and some that keep a sometimes or a perhaps?
The challenge can seem so over-whelming at times.
Paul, read the post "Stress Free Sinning" which is fairly recent...also "Umbrella Policy" and "I Want To"...
ok.... thank you.
Hope. There is our eternal hope (a.k.a. the hope), and then there is also temporal hope (marriage, etc.). You know, there is the kind of hope that paces, checking frequently, and then there is the kind of hope that is more like the fisherman who’s line is in the water, and he’s not preoccupied with looking in the water for nibblers, but just sits back, enjoying the scenery. His expectation has not gone away; he has not given up hope, but the results and timing are given over to God, and the fisherman does not micromanage the process.
Oh, and JD, thanks for speaking kindly to my friend, Halfmom.
Good illustration Craver...
There are several parts of those "last paragraph" scriptures that I clearly identify with. Even though the last, lets see, 14 years have been a trial - I can assuredly say with 1Peter1:7, they have tested and proven the genuiness of my faith and it is more precious to me than all else and in vs 8, though I still do not "see" Him, I continue to love Him more.
I can also say that towards others, the trials have brought a far greater (1:22) earnestness of actively loving others.
I believe Psalm 119:71 expresses it well - "it is good for me that I was afflicted that I might learn your statutes"
Beautiful…
I love that verse (Psalm 119:71)…Martin Luther, commenting on it, said that affliction is the touchstone of hermeneutics (interpretation)…
I wrote about this, and about God giving us grace in tough times in a post called
Chocolate Milk
As to "chocolate milk" - true, and yet hysterical - never would I have thought of praying for anything to sweeten the bread of affliction - I'll have to think on that one -
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