Unlimited: Hope That Isn’t Seen
Jan 26, 2023 632
But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? (Romans 8:24b).
Paul’s statement here seems pretty obvious, but there’s more to it than first meets the eye.
Paul is referring to some people who will only believe when they see something right in front of their eyes, like Thomas who said after the resurrection of Christ,
Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe (John 20:25).
That isn’t faith; that’s 100% evidence. In the same way, if we only hope when we can already see what we hope for, Paul says that isn’t hope at all.
Hope that is seen is no hope at all.
Hope has a solid base of evidence on which it is based, yet still it bridges the gap between present reality and future promise.
Paul is making this point specifically in the context of our adoption as sons and daughters of God. We have been granted this standing, though we do not see it with our eyes. We are able to experience the joy of divine adoption, even despite the weakness and failures of the flesh. We hope for the full and future manifestation of the glory that will be revealed in us as sons and daughters of God.
Spiritual Application
It’s easy for us, as people steeped in our contemporary culture, to fall back on relying on “empirical” evidence and logic as the basis of our Christian walk. What about you? Are you living by faith or by sight?
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