For many years, I had the privilege of co-leading a MOMS group at Bethlehem Baptist Church. I think I have written about this precious time in previous posts.  One of the sweet things about that MOMS ministry was not only time shared around a table, but time listening to speakers.  I have literally heard hundreds of speakers over the years.  One that sticks out distinctly was a woman named Char Ransom.  Char was a long time member and had served in Women’s Ministry, taught Sunday School, taught Bible Study, led the MOMS group even thought she wasn’t married or a mother…etc.  You name it, she did it.  Char memorized more scripture than practically anyone I know.  She was no nonsense, very practical, and so humorous.  She was a ‘salty’ person.  She truly was a light to so many.  Whenever I was graced by her presence, I felt encouraged.  The year she spoke at MOMS, she unpacked Romans 12:12 for us.  Here it is in context of what we have been studying the last few weeks:

Romans 12:9-12 “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,serve the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”

Char talked on being joyful in hope as we mother.  She talked on being patient in affliction as we mother.  And she talked on being faithful in prayer as we mother.  It was powerful!  After she spoke, I began searching for artwork to grace my home with that verse on it.  It became one of my life verses. Today, we will focus on the first part of that verse which says, “be joyful in hope.”

What is this hope that we are commanded to be joyful in? The answer is found in the gospel.  Here it is step by step:

What is our condition before coming to Christ? We fall short and deserve death.

The Bible says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

How does God respond to this? He sent His son to die for us.

God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). 

How do we respond if we are called? Believe in Jesus as Savior

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. (Acts 16:31)

What does that mean? You are saved from your sins.

It means that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved (Romans 10:9-10). 

What is our condition in Christ? We are a new creation.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (II Corinthians 5:17). This is good news!  In Christ, we are no longer sinners, we are saved sinners.  We are actually referred to as saints.

As saints, what do we do when we still sin? We confess and turn from our sins.

We confess our sins, knowing that He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). We repent, and turn again, that our sins may be blotted out (Acts 3:19).  

We humble ourselves, and pray and seek the Lord’s face, and turn from our wicked ways, trusting that the Lord will hear from heaven and will forgive our sin and heal our land. (II Chronicles 7:14).

What does this good news evoke in us? Joy!!

I Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Who is the object of that joy?  Jesus, our blessed hope.

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

May you ‘be joyful in hope’ today,

Heather

For those of you who believe already, may you ‘be joyful in hope.’ For those of you that don’t, today is the day.  “The Lord has made known to you the path of life, in His presence there is fullness of joy, and at His right hand pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

When You Pray….

1. Pray that you would be joyful in hope.
2. Pray the same for your spouse.
3. Pray the same for your children.
4. It’s the 3rd Friday, pray your friends from church.