We were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance (Romans 8:24,25 NKJV).
Last month my husband and I spent our anniversary weekend planting seeds indoors. (Of
course, I want to grow impatiens and alyssum in my wooden Coca Cola crates)! I kept saying to Scott, “You know, to plant a seed is to HOPE.” Why? Because you have to wait eagerly with perseverance to finally see something emerge from that dark soil. We watered our little pots, set them in sunshine, and Scott even bought a heat lamp to urge them along.
One week later when all we had was soil, my husband looked at me and said, “Farmers must have a lot of patience.”
Isn’t that the truth?
Hope that is SEEN is not hope! How can someone HOPE for something that she can see? But if you hope for what you cannot see, you wait eagerly for it with perseverance.
Friends, if you’ve received Jesus as Savior, then you know that we were saved in this hope.
We ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope . . . (Romans 8:23,24a NKJV).
All that groaning inwardly is in HOPE for our inheritance. The adoption papers are signed, but we are waiting to move into heaven. And there we will wait for the redemption of our body when Christ returns and the trumpet sounds and the dead in Christ (bodies of dead Christians) rise up to meet the Lord in the air. Then our full adoption, full immortality will be realized.
Be patient. All you’ve ever hoped for and even more is just ahead.
