Where is the Hope!

As the world goes through this pandemic it is looking for hope.

Hope that the virus is stopped.

Hope that you don’t get it.

Hope that a vaccine is found.

In Christendom, I’ve heard of Evangelists cursing the virus. 

Some have made the statement that people of God shouldn’t worry because He won’t allow it to enter a church.

“We’re also going to pass out anointed handkerchiefs to people who may have a fear, who may have a sickness and we believe that when those anointed handkerchiefs go, that healing virtue is going to go on them as well.”

Is your hope in any of the list above?

If so your hope is skewed.

In 1 Corinthians 15:19, Paul writes.

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

So do you feel miserable as we go through this CCP virus?

Could your hope be put in a better place than in the list above?

Let’s see if we can turn it around.

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:7

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Titus 2:13

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Titus 1:2

We have hope for the hopeless. No one is going to leave this world alive (unless you are raptured).

Our hope should be placed in the eternal not the physical.

So stop waiting for the handkerchief to arrive.

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

2 Corinthians 5: 1-2

To see Souls saved and Saints edified!

Repent

There are numerous places in the Bible that have actions of repentance or call for repentance.

Some of Christendom uses the phrase repent and forsake your sins.

So is repentance about sin in one’s life?

The Oxford Dictionary gives this definition of repentance.

“Feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin.”

The Greek word for repent in the New Testament is “metanoeo” which means “to change one’s mind”. (patheos.com)

God repented a few times in the Old Testament. 

And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

Genesis 6: 6-7

And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

Exodus 32:14

We know that God cannot sin, so His repenting or for Him to repent is just a change of mind.

If repenting is a change of mind for God it is the same for us. You can’t have two different meanings for the same word. The Bible can define words if you let it.

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

Matthew 21: 28-29

So if repenting is a change of mind, I have a few that I’ve repented of over the years.

1. Speaking in Tongues.
2. There is only one Gospel.
3. Water baptism is a necessary act for salvation.
4. The whole Bible is written to me.
5. If I have enough faith God will answer any prayer.
6. The seven churches in Revelation are speaking of the Body of Christ.
7. I’m a New Testament Christian.
8. That my works make me pleasing to God.
9. Jesus was speaking to me in MMLJ.
10. Peter is my Apostle.
11. God speaks to me apart from His Word.
12. Rightly dividing the Scriptures doesn’t matter.
13. I’m part of spiritual Israel.
14. Not knowing that there was a mystery revealed to Paul.
15. I’m still under the Law.

Search the Scripture and read it literally and someday you might repent..

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2: 3-4

To see Souls saved and Saints edified!