“For 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).
Hope—as it is used by Bible writers—and wishful thinking have very little in common. The living hope a child/heir of God has upon being born again (1 Peter 1:3) is a confident expectation of immense future blessings which God has promised in His word, guaranteeing it with His Son’s resurrection. Since God cannot lie, our hope of eternal life is a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:19).
Earlier in Romans, Paul describes the immensity of every Christian’s future as being the “hope of the glory of God” (5:2). There is—and only needs to be—one hope (Ephesians 4:4). God has not forgotten to include something; therefore, the one hope needs no additions. God has not over promised on something He cannot actually provide; therefore, the one hope needs no subtractions.
The climactic act which opens the floodgates of God’s eternal inheritance for His heirs is the resurrection and redemption/glorification of your body. No principality, power, ruler of the darkness of this age, or spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places can thwart God incorruptible, undefiled, fadeless inheritance.
Your hope of God’s glory deserves your steadfast endurance during trials and suffering. Therefore, you ought ever to “eagerly wait for it with perseverance” (Romans 8:25).
