“.. Biblical hope is a confident expectation or assurance based upon a sure foundation for which we wait with joy and full confidence. In other words, “There is no doubt about it!”. (GotQuestions.org)
First, the hope we have is anchored in Jesus, and His work for us on the cross. God made a promise, anchored it with and oath, and secured it in Jesus who is our Mediator, Intercessor, and High Priest.
Hebrews 6:16-20 NLT
[16] “Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. [17] God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. [18] So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. [19] This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. [20] Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.”
Second, our hope has various facets that are all part of our hope for the future. Each facet is anchored in God’s promise.
The hope of glory
God promises that we will be perfected in the image of Jesus, through His presence in us now.
Colossians 1:27 NLT
[27]”For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.” (“Christ in you, the hope of glory” NIV).
The hope of eternal life
God has promised us that we will inherit eternal life through our faith in Jesus because He has forgiven our sin and declared us not guilty of all the sin we have ever committed.
Titus 3:7 NIV
[7] “so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Titus 1:1-2 NIV
[1] “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— [2] in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,”
The hope of Christ’s return
All our hope in God for everything He has promised to do for us and to give to us is anchored in Jesus’ promise that He will come back to complete what He started.
Titus 2:13 NIV
[13]”… while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ… “
The hope of resurrection
We shall be given perfect, new bodies just like Jesus’ body because He overcame death by rising from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3 NIV
[3]” Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”
The hope of adoption
We will finally be part of God’s forever family, eternally sons and daughters of the living God. We have the hope of salvation, restoration to wholeness,
Romans 8:23-25 NIV
[23]”Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. [24] For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? [25] But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
Hope in God’s promises produces the one quality we need to gain the prize – endurance, stickability.
Romans 5:3-5 NLT
[3] “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. [4] And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. [5] And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
Romans 4:18-21 NLT
[18] “Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” [19] And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. [20] Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. [21] He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.”
All this and much more is part of our living hope of life in God’s eternal kingdom when we relocate to glory.
Faith, hope, love… three enduring characteristics that must be entwined in the lives of all who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. These are all gifts of God’s grace but we grow them by believing, loving, and hoping for what He has promised in the confidence that He will do everything He has promised.