We’re on a journey through the Hebrew words from the Old Testament that we translate into English as “hope.” So far we’ve talked about hope as expectation. Part two is focused on yĆ¢chal hope.
Category: Bible
Exploring Hope – 1
This past Sunday night I took our church through a study of the Hebrew words that we translate as “hope.” Hope is in short supply in our world, even in our churches. There is a lot to learn from how the writers of Scripture understood the concept of hope. I’ll share a different thought in each post this week.
Gospel versus Good News
While reading materials, blog posts and Tweets today, I ran across a familiar word several times. When we talk about the message we have of God’s love, Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection, and the Spirit’s work in our lives, we tend to use the term “gospel.” But are we really doing justice to the term as we use it today? Or are we throwing the Gospel out into the world where it collides with unrealistic expectations and preconceived notions?
Lost Hope
Just finished Sunday’s message. I WANT TO LET IT OUT! I’ll try not to blog it early, but no promises.
As a way of getting around that, here are some lines I wrote in my journal today. Only a slice of it made it to the message, but it is definitely worth thinking about…
Free from … ?
Before the holidays I started a discussion on the implications and uses of Romans 8:1. The first post reminded us that there is hope in Christ that when we sin, we are not condemned again and lose our salvation. Rather, having been made new in Christ and striving to live a life of holiness, we can be confident that we are in the hands of God and His grace extends to us when we fail, for we shall certainly do so until the day He returns or we are taken to be with Him.
I am reading my second title of the new year, and it has spurred me on to finish this thought started so long ago. The book is “The Pursuit of Holiness” by Jerry Bridges, and you will see a review of the book here when I finish reading it. For now, though, let us continue our thoughts on Romans 8:1.
Free from Condemnation
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…
(Romans 8:1, NIV)
Most Christan adults have read or heard this verse, written by Paul to the church in Rome. It is a verse that is quickly set to memory, and so finds itself quoted often.
I think, though, that this statement is often misused. Is it true? Indeed…and its truth is powerful and essential to our lives. The trouble comes when we misunderstand what is said, resulting in terrible misapplication.
Chris MacKinnon 