“But if we hope for what we do not have, we wait for it patiently” (Romans 8:25, NLT).

In the Bible verse above, what “HOPE” do you think Paul is talking about?

Is it the HOPE of Islam, who believes that you must earn your way to heaven? That before you die, you will NEVER KNOW whether or not you’re going to heaven or hell?

Is it the HOPE of Buddhism, who believes in nothing after death? No heaven. No hell. No reuniting with passed loved ones. No further existence at all.

Is it the HOPE of Hinduism, who believes that when we die we become part of the cosmic “oneness” of the universe? No soul. No identity. Nothingness to continue onward into eternity.

Is it the HOPE of the Atheist… oh wait… they HOPE for nothing.

Did you realize that CHRISTIANITY is the ONLY faith in the world that recognizes the REALITY AND HOPE, the guarantee, of Eternal Life? BUT there is a catch… and the name of the catch is Jesus.

In John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

So, based on the words of Jesus, we have a choice. It seems that the HOPE that He promises in the Bible verse above, the HOPE that we really will get to live together in joy and peace forever with our friends and loved ones, who also made the RIGHT CHOICE to follow Jesus, the HOPE of being completely reconciled to God our Father and Creator who loves us, hinges on whether or not we CHOOSE to surrender our lives to Jesus Christ.

We either accept Jesus as our Savior or we reject Jesus as our Savior. There is no other choice. But for those who choose Christ, we have been given the ULTIMATE GIFT and HOPE in Revelation 21: 1-7 (NLT):

¹Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.² And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. ⁴ He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” ⁵ And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”

Christmas isn’t just a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It’s a time to reflect on WHY He was given to us – and that is, to bring us ETERNAL HOPE. And HIS HOPE is Guaranteed, indeed!

David McCall

Executive Pastor