One of the greatest things a Christian possesses is hope! When the Bible uses the word “hope” it is not being used in the wishful sense that many use the word today. Hope, in Scripture, usually refers to a “confident expectation.” The Christian’s expectation concerns salvation and his confidence comes from the trustworthy nature of God.
Anyone who is “in Christ” (Romans 8:1; Galatians 3:27-29) can expect to be saved from his sins. However, my expectation concerning salvation does not come from a reliance on my own righteousness. In fact, I am saved in spite of who I am, rather than based on who I am. Instead, my confidence comes from knowing that the One who promised me salvation is faithful and it is “impossible” for Him to lie (Hebrews 6:18). My confidence–my hope–is in Christ!
Paul says in Hebrews 6:19 that the Christian’s hope is a “steadfast anchor of the soul.” What an AWESOME analogy!
- An anchor is solid! Our hope, likewise, is solid. Paul says that it is “steadfast.” How wonderful it is to get up every morning KNOWING that you are saved; knowing that God loves you and the blood of His son continues to wash away your sins (1 John 1:7)! As long as you have been united with Christ (Romans 6:1-7) and you “abide” in Him (John 15), you can have a confident assurance concerning the heavenly home He has prepared for us!
- An anchor keeps a ship from being “tossed to and fro” in the sea. Paul encourages the Ephesians to grow up spiritually, “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness indeceitful schemes” (Ephesians 4:14). Our hope keeps us in one place. It keeps us anchored in Christ. As long as we keep our hope focused on Christ, we will not be carried along by false teaching. It is when we lose hope (or pull up our anchor) that we forget why we should do what we should do. So many out there are drifting hopelessly along listening to whatever teacher will say what their “itching ears” want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3). They think these false teachers are giving them hope, but they are only causing them to drift farther and farther from the Truth. Keep your eyes on Christ! Keep your anchor firmly established, by staying in His word!
- An anchor brings peace, even in a storm. When an anchor firmly in place, even during a fierce storm, those on board can know peace. Life is a scary place–full of storms. But when Jesus is in our boat, we can know the peace He had when he slept during the fierce storm (Matthew 8:24). Christians need not fear the storms of life. We need only to put our confidence in Christ and ride out whatever comes our way!
