Saved by Hope Romans 8:24

Paul the apostle told the people in Rome, “ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-four of Romans, Paul told his readers, “we are saved by hope” where we read:

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope:

for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for?

The verse begins, “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope, ...” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “we are saved” or “Paul, his companions and his believing readers are kept safe and sound and rescued from danger or destruction” “by hope” which means “through and by means of joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation” “that is seen” or “things which are visible, perceived, discerned, observed and discovered” “is not hope” which means “is not joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation ”. Paul shared how “joyful confidence in salvation” is how he, his companions and his believing readers” were “kept safe, sound and rescued from danger and destruction”, and he acknowledged how this “joyful confidence” is unknown by visible “perception and discernment”.

The verse continues, “... for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for?” Paul continued with the words “for” or “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “what a man” or “that which a person whether male or female” “sees” which means “perceives, discerns, observes and discovers”, “why does he yet” or “for what reason and in what does that person have or obtain” “hope for” which means “joyful confidence in salvation”. Paul questioned “why” there would even be a need for “hope” when a person already “perceives and discovers” it.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how people are “saved by hope” and not by already obtaining and realizing their “salvation”. The “expectation of eternal salvation” is within every person who gives their heart and life to Jesus Christ, and this keeps them not only looking for His return, but also living according to ways that are “pleasing” to God. God instituted “hope”, and although that which is desired is not already obtained, the idea of “expectation” should excite everyone who thinks this through. Jesus is coming again, and when He comes He will redeem not only “creation” but also those who believe and trust in Him. Let us keep “hope” alive, and put our “faith and trust” in what God has promised, He shall certainly perform.

Next time Paul tells his readers, “if we hope for that we see not”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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