Shaped by hope

As Christians, our lives are to be shaped by hope.

Have you ever considered that?

The apostles did.

For them, hope was not some airy-fairy thing of no practical import to our lives.

Rather, hope itself shaped how they lived.

John talked about it in his first letter. He said,

We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is.

And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure. (1 John 3:2-3)

And here in this letter, Paul essentially says the same thing to Titus.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14, ESV)

What is it that motivates us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives? What motivates us to be zealous for good works?

Hope.

Hope that one day Jesus will return and all things will be made new.

Hope that one day all evil will be wiped out, and that we will become like the one who loves us and redeemed us, choosing us to be his own people.

And unlike a lot of things we “hope for” in life, this hope is certain.

How often do you reflect on the hope we have in Christ? How much does it shape how you think and live each day?