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 THE GROUND OF OUR HOPE

Being a follower of Jesus Christ is no guarantee that life will proceed without complications. Jesus told us, Himself, that in this world we will have difficulties, tribulations, persecutions, and struggles from within and from without.

Following Jesus Christ will mean change, radical change in our lives, how we live, what we think, how we choose, and the transformation of our emotional state. Change is always a struggle. He empowers us to surrender and let the changes happen in His timing. Jesus Christ replaces our spiritual death, which all humanity shares as a common heritage from Adam and Eve, with eternal life, His own Life. The Holy Spirit makes His permanent residence in the believer, becoming Life within us. We will not remain the same if we are truly following Jesus Christ and are surrendering to His Word and His will for us.

Here is what the Apostle Paul wrote to the young church in Ephesus.

Ephesians 2:1-10.
"Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the dark powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So, God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago."

New Life is what He has promised; life that will transform us; Life that will be the ground of our strength and wisdom for living. Difficulties do not define us. To paraphrase Elizabeth Elliot, "The secret of hope, peace, joy, and security for a Christian is Christ Jesus IN ME, not me in a different set of circumstances."

Being IN CHRIST makes an eternal difference that is practically experienced by those following Jesus as the Holy Spirit brings about the changes in our lives that would otherwise remain impossibilities. Jesus stated, "Take courage; be of good cheer. I have overcome the world."

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