“All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3 NIV
This does not say that if we have our hope fixed on Christ, we ought to purify ourselves. Rather, it says that everyone who has this hope fixed on Him does purify themself. In other words, the test of whether or not we truly understand the teaching of verse 2 will be evident in our practising the truth of verse 3. If we understand that we are presently a child of God and that when Jesus comes we will be like Him, then we will be progressively purifying our lives, just as Jesus is pure. Although the word “hope” is frequently used in Paul and Peter’s writings, this is the only time that John uses the word “hope” as a noun. Oddly, it does not even occur in Revelation. As believers, our hope is not in circumstances or in some optimistic wish for a better tomorrow. Our hope is in the person of Jesus Christ. He said that He was returning to heaven to prepare a place for us. Then He added these wonderful words of hope in John 14:3, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” He didn’t leave us forever! He is coming back for us, and when that happens, we will go to be with Him in the place that He has prepared for us! All our hope should be fixed on Him. As Christians, we should be people of hope because we fix our hope on Jesus who never disappoints. Our God is the God of hope and the hope that He gives centres on the Lord Jesus Christ.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord Jesus, we fix our hope on You for You never disappoint us.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord Jesus, all our hope is fixed on You. As Christians, we are a people of hope because we fix our hope on You and You never disappoint us. AMEN
I.B.R.A. Readings
1 Chronicles 18:9-17
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