One Hope

One Hope

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all

- Ephesians 4:4-6

Hope is a pretty popular word in the English language. It is probably used almost as much as the word love in everyday use. Although it is so common, it is often a word that is misunderstood when it comes to its context and use in the Bible. When used in casual conversation, “hope” is most commonly used to imply a desire that something will take place.

Example:

I hope I did well on my test.

I hope I am not late.

I hope she is okay.

Not to be repetitive, but it is necessary to make clear of its normal use so that one can understand how different the biblical use of the word really is. Unlike this use of hope, the Bible uses this word to express the understood assurance and anticipation of something that is sure to take place. Especially from the Apostle Paul, hope is used to express the contentment that is experience due to trusting in the faithfulness of God.

For instance,

Romans 8:24- For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

Paul here says that we are saved by hope, even though we know that Ephesians 2:8-9 says that we are, “saved by grace, through faith.”  How is it possible that Paul can say both and not contradict himself? Well, some say that we are saved by “many” different things.

Actually, we really are saved by grace, but Paul refers to this grace by using the term hope. Simply stated, we can trust in what God says, or rather we can hope in what He says. Paul uses the same flow in addressing the physical resurrection of Jesus and the resurrection we look forward to in his address to the Corinthian believers.

1 Corinthians 15:19- If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Paul say that if only in this short life we live we have assurance and confidence in Jesus, then we are worse off than any atheist who could care less about Jesus. Paul uses this statement to intensify the truth of how faithful God is to His word.

 

2 Timothy 1:12- For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Notice in the verse above where Paul’s confidence is found, even in the midst of his sufferings. He says that he is “persuaded” that the Lord is “able” to do something. Do what? To keep. To keep what? That which Paul has committed.What has Paul commited? His hope…

Paul understands what Christ has done for his salvation. He possesses salvation, which contains forgiveness, atonemement, reconciliation, justification and a new life of daily sanctification.

“as ye are called in one hope of your calling”

What is our calling? If there is one hope for all according to one calling, what is this calling? Without being able to rightly divide, many would like to spend the rest of their lives looking, not only for what his or her “personal calling” is, but also how to fulfill his or her calling. This is where it is important to know your bible in context of the dispensation you are participating in.

- Ephesians 4:1- I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called…

The calling of God is an invitation to a vocation, due to our salvation.

Our calling and vocation –

Salvation and Understanding 1 Tim 2:4,

Our job title: ambassadors - 2 Cor 5:20

We are encouraged in Eph. 4:1 to walk worthy of the vocation that we have been called to. To operate in this Christian life according to God’s word, we must operate by hope. We must understand what God has done by giving us salvation. We know that we are saved by placing our faith in Christ’s death for our sins and resurrection for our justification(Rom. 4:25, 1 Cor. 15:1-4).

If we continuously find ourselves focusing on what Christ has done and accomplished on our behalf, we can experience this “one hope” of your calling every single day. No matter the trial or sufferings, our hope is found, not in earthly matter, but in God’s faithfulness to complete that which he has promised.

Mid Acts Dispensationalism Right Division offers so much clarity that is not found in much of today "bible study."

Ephesians 2:15