In Colossians 1:3-5 we see Paul outlining how faith, hope and love interrelate in the Christian life:
“We give thanks … since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven”
Did you notice that future hope is the driver of their faith and love?
We know what we hope for drives what we do today. Each month I put away some money into superannuation in the hope that I will have accumulated enough to help support myself and others in the future. This gives me confidence in what I do today because I have some security in the future.
But markets can crash and savings can be wiped away. Nothing is certain, except that which is held with God. What exactly then is the hope laid up in heaven, away from the turmoil of this world, which can give total confidence and security to us in this life?
God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27
Christ and all the blessings we have in him are our heavenly hope, which nothing on earth can take away. He blesses us now, and has even greater things in store to come. From that certain hope we can live with faith in Christ and love for one another.
– Sam Pursell