HOPE IN CHRIST*By Pastor D. Bekemeyer*

HOPE IN CHRIST*
*By Pastor D. Bekemeyer*
*
Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 15:19
It has been said, "Even if there was nothing beyond this life, I would
have no regrets that I lived for the Lord Jesus." While such a statement
may sound noble, it can only be made with disregard for our text which
says, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men
most miserable." Please notice two things concerning the truth of this
verse.
First, notice that we do have hope in Christ during this life. But on
what is our hope based? Evidence that demands a verdict? Archeological
discoveries? Personal experience? No! Our hope is based on what God's
Word says about Christ. In this life, we walk by faith, not by sight (2
Corinthians 5:7) and with our eyes of faith, we look on that which is
not seen (2 Corinthians 4:17). Because of this, we know that our lives
have purpose and meaning. We run with certainty and we fight
successfully (I Cor. 9:26).
Second, notice that we do have hope in Christ beyond this life. What if
we suddenly realized that there is nothing beyond what we now have?
Everything would change. As believers in Christ, our plight would be the
most miserable of all who are in the world. Our belief would be in vain,
our labor unrewarded and our eternal destiny insecure. After death,
anything could happen.
Our hope depends on the Lord Jesus Christ being all that He claims to
be. Praise God, we need not doubt that!

*"We can either choose to grovel in our own self-pity*
*or rejoice*
*in whatever state we may find ourselves."*
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery,
which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created
all things by Jesus Christ