Seven Essential Truths

Let’s begin this edition by briefly summarizing the seven scriptural facts we established in our previous discussions on this theme. First of all, there are three abiding spiritual realities in the Christian life: faith, hope and love. Each is essential for effective Christian living. Second, hope is produced by the new birth; we are born again into a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The third fact is expressed by the statement, “Hope is based on Christ’s resurrection.” Fourth, hope looks forward to Christ’s return. This is the blessed hope that is set before all true Christians. Fifth, the source of hope is God’s love. Sixth, biblical hope motivates us to holy living. Seventh, this kind of hope produces confident, radiant Christians.

These truths are extremely important, so I will list them again for review:

There are three abiding realities in the Christian life: faith, hope love.
Hope is produced by the new birth.
Hope is based on Christ’s resurrection.
Hope looks forward to Christ’s return.
The source of hope is God’s love.
Hope motivates us to holy living.
Hope produces confident, radiant Christians.

A Surprising Truth

In this message, I will explain why hope is an essential part of salvation. Most Christians with a denominational background have some kind of awareness that you cannot have salvation without faith. We are all familiar with the famous scriptural statement, “The just shall live by faith.” That is perfectly true. However, it may come as a surprise to you that it is not the whole truth. What I want to emphasize in this lesson is that you can not have salvation without hope as well. Hope is also an essential part of salvation.

Here is what Paul says in Romans 8, verses 24 and 25:

For in hope we have been saved [or, by hope we have been saved], but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. (nasb)

This verse reminds us of an important point made earlier in this series concerning the relationship between faith and hope. Faith is in the present, but hope turns toward the future. Here Paul is saying, “In hope [or by hope] we have been saved.” In other words, hope does not take the place of faith—but it is an essential part of being saved. Without hope we do not have valid salvation.

Paul goes on to point out that hope produces perseverance. He says, “If we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” Perseverance is also an essential part of our salvation. Many passages of Scripture emphasize that we must persevere in our faith until the consummation of that faith. So, hope (and with it, perseverance) is essential to salvation.

A Mystery

Hoffnung

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