Life-Shaping Hope

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 12
Dear Friend, If I asked you, “What is the one hope you have over all over hopes?” What would you say?          Your hope for the well-being of loved ones?                 Your hope for health or financial security?                      Your hope for something else? The Apostle Paul answers this question in a marvelous way, “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20* Paul’s hope has a negative aspect (that is really a positive) and another positive aspect to it. Negatively, he hopes, “that I will not be put to shame in any way.” If you share this hope, then you hope that your conduct is consistent with your convictions, that your life honors your Lord. Positively, he hopes, “that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body.” So this hope is not just about “not being shamed” but rather is the hope that your life will bring honor, attention, love, and trust to the person of Jesus Christ! “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”  Edward Mote 1837
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
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