Hope Does Not Disappoint

One of the greatest things God has given us as believers is hope. According to the Scriptures, hope for the believer speaks of a salvation that is certain because of the grace of God in our lives and because of our faith in Christ. We need not fear because of our hope in Jesus Christ.

What is especially exciting about the hope we have in Christ is that it does not depend on any particular ability we have. It is dependent solely upon our faith. When we have faith, we have hope. No matter who you are or where you are, you have hope through faith in Jesus.

When you have faith in Jesus, by the grace of God you are saved and guaranteed to spend eternity with Him in heaven. That is our great hope in Christ. Romans 5:1-5 speaks of our hope in Christ and assures us of God’s great love for us.

Being justified before God through our faith in Jesus brings a wealth of blessings into our lives. God rewards those who have faith in Him. God’s promises are sure. He is faithful and will do everything He promised in His Word. The first promise He fulfills in us when we trust Christ as our Savior is peace with God.

Romans 5:1 says: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The verb “we have” is in the present tense indicating something that is already present. As a believer you already possess “peace with God.” “Peace” here does not refer to a simple “feeling” of peace within you. It refers to harmony with God. You were once an enemy of God, but now through faith in Jesus Christ you are at “peace with God.” This is called reconciliation. You have been reconciled to God and are now at peace with Him.

Romans 5:2a continues: “Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand.” “Through whom” refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have eternal peace with God and through Him we have access to God. “Access” can also mean “approach” or “introduction” (NASB), and speaks of the believer’s access to God through Jesus Christ. We approach the Father through the Son. “Grace” refers to the free gift God gave us in Christ and “stand” refers to the idea of permanence or standing firm. By faith we stand firm in the grace of God. Therefore we can approach the throne of God by prayer.

That is why we can “rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (v. 2b). You are to be jubilant because God in Christ guarantees your “hope” that one day you will partake “of the glory of God.” Genuine faith in Christ guarantees your eternity with Him in His eternal kingdom where His glory will fill you forever.

God will complete the good work He began in you! Note verses 3-4: “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” In the midst of hard times rest assured that God is there. Because you stand in the grace of God, by faith you can face all sorts of “sufferings” (NIV) or “tribulations” (KJV).

“Tribulations” (v. 3) refers to the idea of “being under pressure.” It carries the idea of squeezing olives in a press to extract the oil or of squeezing grapes to produce juice. No matter how tough things may be in your life, God is there. Rest in Him and He will help you. He will bring you through the hard times, producing in you “perseverance,” the ability to endure. By faith your steadfast endurance builds “character,” or “tested value.” In turn, God gives you a “hope” which endures. God will complete the work He began in you. He will build your character and He will make you more like Christ each day.

“Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (v. 5). “Poured out” refers to the “inexhaustible abundance of the supply” (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 10, Regency Reference Library, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids Michigan, 1976, 58). Our future hope is certain because God’s love is “poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” God’s love flows through us in abundance because the Holy Spirit dwells within us.

The key phrase here is “the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (v. 5b). By God’s grace, when you believe in Christ you are not only saved from sin, but God sends His Spirit to indwell you. He lives right inside of you and He is the one who empowers you to live a godly life. He is the one who makes you more like Jesus each day. He is the one who gives you God’s strength for the day. He gives you the desire to pray and worship and study God’s Word. He is the one who pours out God’s blessings in your life.

The message is to trust daily in Jesus. Trust Him for forgiveness and trust Him to empower you for each day. Let me simply encourage you to look to God each day for whatever you need and He will take care of you. Amen.