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Far too often, Christians don’t know what to make of the Holy Spirit. Most have seen the chaos of Spirit-obsessed communities and the coldness of those who ignore the Spirit. People shake their heads as they walk away: Well, I know I don’t want that.
But that’s hardly adequate for our understanding of the third Person of the Trinity.
Compared to the Father and the Son, modern Christians might feel there is comparatively little in the New Testament about the Holy Spirit. Passages such as John 14 and John 16 teach us that he is the Spirt of truth, the Helper, the One who convicts sinners and who glorifies the Son. We can also look to Romans 8—the most Spirit-filled chapter of the Bible. But Christians often want more.
I have good news for you. There is more.
A Syllogism
Here’s the logical proposition. God promises his presence to be with Christians in the person of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15–17). Second, God has shown us in many places in the Old Testament what it looks like when his presence is with believers. Therefore, we can learn what the Holy Spirit is like by looking at the Old Testament occasions where God’s personal presence was active.
Examples
We could multiply examples, but here are just a few.
The Spirit brings fear of the Lord and a greater understanding of God’s holiness (Ex 3:4–6).
The Spirit brings God’s word for his people; specifically, he brings instruction (Ex 19:7–9).
The Spirit gives direction and leading (Ex 13:17–22).
The Spirit gives rest (Ex 33:14).
The Spirit protects and gives wisdom (1 Chron 14:8–12).
Additionally, we (rightly) speak of the Holy Spirit giving God’s people comfort, encouragement, correction, and calling. God provided all of this for his people through his personal presence in the Old Testament.
Reading to Understand
God does not change, so we can learn about who he is now by reading about his interaction with his people throughout time. This isn’t to say that God acts in all possible ways to all people at all times.
However, we will get a better understanding about the work of the Holy Spirit by understanding him (in part) as the fulfillment of God’s promise to dwell personally with his people.
For the Christian, the corporate worship service is (ideally) the highlight of the week. Yes, that gathering is a chance to reconnect with close friends and to put “worldly cares” aside. Even more, this is a time when believers hear from and worship the triune God—that essential activity for which we were made and which properly reorients our souls.
Something else is happening in that worship service. We are taking part in a grand rehearsal. Worship is happening in heaven right now and will surely be a central part of life on the new earth. Thus, the elements of the worship service point us forward, signposts of our heavenly business.
I’ve been thinking of Christian hope as the joyful expectation that God will keep his promises. The corporate worship service offers numerous chances for us to look ahead with anticipation.
Singing
There is a lot of evidence in the Bible for heavenly worship (Rev. 4:8–11, 22:3). Singing will certainly play a role.
Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. (Rev. 14:1–3)
And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb… (Rev 15:2–3)
Singing engages our emotions and our wills in ways that spoken words do not. As we join in song in corporate worship, we can look ahead and imagine an even greater crowd, a more glorious sound, and our praise unstained by distraction or worldly desires.
Giving
For those who take a purely logistical angle on the weekly tithe/offering, there seems no need for this in heaven. We won’t need to pay a pastor or an electric bill then, will we?
But our giving doesn’t happen on Sundays out of convenience. It is just as much an act of worship for modern Christians as the first fruits of the harvest were for Old Testament believers. Through this lens, it’s not surprising to learn that giving back to God will continue in the coming age.
And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Rev. 4:9–11)
In heaven we will fully understand how worthy God is of all we have, including all he has given to us.
Proclaiming the Gospel
The best Christian worship services proclaim the gospel not only during the sermon but through the structure of the liturgy. The gospel is so central and glorious that we will be focusing on it for eternity.
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5:9–10)
God Speaks
Hope is meant to sustain us with a vision of joy to come. Our hope may be stoked by sorrow or by joy, but the Christian worship service is another great incubator for this hope.
Many churches rightly feature the Bible throughout corporate worship. God’s people need to hear God’s word. And this is unlikely to stop in the new creation.
He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (Rev. 21:3)
God will be with us; we will have fellowship with him; he will speak to us in a way we haven’t fully known here on earth.
No worship service is perfect. But what goes on then is glorious, and that includes training our minds and hearts to long for the world to come.
One of God’s most precious promises comes from Hebrews 13:5.
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Like all of God’s promises, this one will greatly repay any time we spend turning it over in our minds and reminding our hearts it is true. (Perhaps it’s worth noting at the beginning that this promise is a negation!)
God’s promise to never leave or forsake his people should be the foundation of lasting contentment. If we have him, we have him forever, and this is a far greater treasure than any amount of money we could possess.
So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)
When God says he will never leave, this is not a promise to be loyal like a puppy. Rather, God’s promise gives us confidence that he will be our great helper. With God at our side, we need not fear anything, certainly nothing that man can do to us.
Some of us have been hurt by those we know and love. Even more of us have had those dear to us leave. They move away (or we do). We drift apart as friends. Some departures are more dramatic: harsh words, hurt feelings, someone turning and walking away.
God will not abandon us. We cannot offend him so much that he gives us a cold shoulder. By his Spirit, he stays close, always ready to hear, to speak (through his Word), to comfort, to guide, and to protect us.
Better than a Spouse
We take sobering vows when we get married. Most of these vows include a version of “until death do us part.” So even those we love the most will eventually leave. Death is still an enemy, separating life-long companions and friends.
Yet God makes a promise to us that even a spouse cannot. His promise has no asterisk or grave-related exception. When death comes and separates us from all we know and love, God’s promise is still true. He is present, and he won’t leave.
If the Lord does not return before our death, as our body starts to cool we will immediately be with him in spirit. He will not abandon our soul to the grave. And this in-between state will also end. When the world is remade and our body and soul reunite, we will be with the Lord forever. The dwelling place of God will be with man, and we will see him face to face. He will not leave.
This is good, good news! And it can offer you or your friend great comfort in times of grief, pain, and loneliness.
What will heaven be like? We know only partial answers to this question from the Bible, but this doesn’t stop many from speculating. This is something Christians dearly want to know.
Some of what we know of heaven is stated positively. God will dwell with his people; he will be their God; he will make all things new.
But, curiously, some of what we learn about heaven is stated negatively. Why is that?
I have two main passages in mind. In Revelation 21:4, we learn the following about heaven.
God will wipe away every tear.
Death will be no more.
There will be no more mourning, crying, or pain.
The former things will have passed away.
In addition, we read in Revelation 22:3 that there will be nothing cursed in the new creation.
In 1 Peter 1:4, the apostle writes about our inheritance with negative language. We have been born again “to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.”
Perhaps the reason for this is obvious, but it’s worth saying out loud. The Bible is teaching us what heaven will be like by contrast. Our current life is full of tears, death, mourning, crying, and pain. All of the inheritances we know about perish, get defiled, and fade away. What is heaven like? It is the opposite of all of the cursed parts of our current experience.
From when we’re very young, this is how we learn. We acquire new information by making a bridge from the known to the unknown. We are familiar with pain; we understand physical, emotional, and mental anguish. The new heavens and the new earth will have absolutely none of that.
This short observation is not groundbreaking, but it is an invitation. This week, when you feel the curse of sin scratching its thorns against your shins, or when you feel nearly crushed by the weight of sin and suffering, think of the contrast the Lord has promised you. Look to the future with hope, for one day the earth will be remade and sin will be no more.
All Christians have besetting sins—those which recur persistently, fatiguing the most seasoned believers. Most of us survey these well-worn battlefields of temptation and sigh.
I’ve had a critical spirit for ages. It wasn’t until recent years, however, that I realized how much it was affecting my relationships and my ability to worship God.
As I’ve tried to fight against this proud part of myself, I’ve seen that the gospel really is the power of God (Rom 1:16). Where common Christian attitudes toward resisting temptation fall short, the good news of King Jesus gives us all we need.
The Symptoms
Trevin Wax distinguishes between a critical mind and a critical spirit. Those with a critical mind are “incisive, analytical, fair-minded.” Rightly used, this can be a gift to the church. But those with a critical spirit “[delight] in exposing the flaws of others,” and are “quick to judge, dismissive, and proud.”
Though I hate to type it, I recognize myself in these latter descriptions. I try to soothe my conscience by remembering that I am a college professor, trained to be analytical with high standards for my students. But my critical spirit shows up in my personal life far more frequently than at work; that excuse holds no water.
I grumble about the mistakes, flaws, and immaturity of others. This is seldom for their benefit but rather to assert my own superiority. I judge, heaping derision on others in my heart. I congratulate myself on my brilliant insight as I tear my brother down.
The Diagnosis
The critical spirit can sneak onto our porches under the cover of “giving feedback” or “iron sharpening iron” or, maybe at its worst, “discipleship.” But let’s turn on the fluorescent lights and call this what it is: pride.
I cannot speak universally here, so what follows may only be true for me. The standard to which I’m comparing everyone I criticize is—horrors—me. Or, if not me in reality, what I would be if I attempted this observed labor.
They should have known better. (Like I do!) They should have done better. (Like I would have!)
The diagnosis might appear grim, but this is only half of the doctor’s visit. The gospel really is good news, and not just for our initial step into the kingdom of God.
The Treatment
Because the gospel is the way to the Father, it is also the way to holiness. The gospel is how we defeat sin and mortify the flesh. Here is the way this looks for me and my critical spirit.
That flaw I’m spotting in my neighbor? That is not the biggest problem here. (See Matt 7:1–5.) I’m boosting myself as perceptive, wise, and superior, trying to justify myself.
The gospel of Jesus points out the big, ugly lies in my thinking. No amount of insight or skill will make me worthy before God.
My sin is so bad that it required the death of Jesus. How foolish it sounds that I could either add to that or replace it by some smart critique! God is the ultimate judge, not me.
Jesus died for me, but he also rose again. His resurrection means new life for all those in Christ—I have a new heart, and by the Holy Spirit I can love, encourage, pray for, and be thankful for others in ways that I could not in the flesh. I no longer need to be superior to anyone; the way to glory is not the way of self-exaltation, but of serving others. Jesus bids me follow him.
Just as surely as Jesus died and was raised, he also ascended into heaven. He rules the world, with truth and grace. I can look forward to the time when faith will be sight, when my critical spirit will be renewed, and when I will love God and desire the best for all of my neighbors, all the time.
Not There Yet
My real life friends will need to be patient with me. I’m a work in progress. The gospel is dismantling my critical spirit, but the construction ground is not yet clear.
The gospel is not a magic wand to wave, but we’ll make little progress on our besetting sins until we understand how transformation works. The anemic advice I hear from some Christians can often be reduced to: “You’re forgiven; try harder.” The gospel is much better news than that.
I cannot say how this works with your particular sins. But if this resonates with you at all, I would bet there are others in your church who feel the same need to apply the light of the gospel to the shadowy places of their lives.
I teach college students, so I know the excitement that mid-August can bring. A new school year is full of possibilities.
My excitement this year is mixed with sadness. My wife and I dropped off our oldest daughter at college this week. She’s not studying on a different continent, but she’s not right around the corner. We’re going to miss her.
Those who know me best know I’ve been anticipating this event with something less than pure joy. (For almost a year I’ve been telling people that I was feeling pre-sad.) But some good friends have recently helped me remember who God is and what this transition represents.
The God of Time
We may not often phrase it this way, but time was one of the things God created and pronounced good. We affirm that God exists outside of time, but he spoke time into being on the first day of creation; we see this in the existence of evening and morning (Gen 1:5).
Time, therefore, was among the “everything” that God saw and pronounced “very good” at the end of creation’s sixth day (Gen 1:31).
So God has created time and rules over it. The days and months and seasons are under his control. And we should also affirm that the fact we have periods of our lives is good. This is the way God has designed our world to work: the earth spins and orbits, the clock hands rotate, and time passes.
The Nature of Seasons
The essence of a season or period of time is that it has a beginning and end. These starting and ending points may not be predictable, but they exist for us as finite beings.
So often we want to hold onto the past and resist the change that time brings. At its core, this is a subtle way of cutting against the grain of creation, of whispering that God may not be governing all things very well.
God wants thanksgiving and remembrance from us. Many of the festivals and worship occasions for believers throughout the ages celebrated what God has done. But rejoicing in what has past is not the same as grumbling that we no longer live there. We remember what has been done so we can live faithfully into the future.
Mourning is Real
The cry of David in Psalm 13:1 is “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” And this is the familiar plea of those who lament. Their circumstances are difficult, maybe nearly intolerable, whether because of illness, sorrow, or persecution. The deliverance they seek is an end to their situation—in essence, they want God to intervene by speeding time up.
I’ve found myself wanting the opposite this summer, essentially praying, How short, O Lord? How short and fleeting are these days with my dear daughter? How will we manage as a family with such a glaring absence? Could you, perhaps, slow time down just a bit?
Not Bad, Just Different
My family is entering a new reality, and some of the sadness I’ve been feeling is mourning the end of a season. No longer will both of my children be at home, available for a conversation just by walking down the hall.
There have been some seasons of parenting that could not pass quickly enough. My wife and I were quite glad when each of our children reached the age of 2. Other seasons (like the one that just ended) are much sweeter, seasons we’re not eager to leave.
But God is good and he governs time well. He goes with his people, including my oldest daughter. God cares for her more than I do, and he will be faithful to her. Though I’m feeling blue this week, I’m learning that turning the page on a season doesn’t make the present worse—it’s just different.
We’re finite creatures made by an infinite God with a longing to be with him. For those in Christ, we will realize this desire one day. Until then, we live as those in time, with all of the accompanying joys and sorrows.
And, this week, some of us will learn how to cheer on new college students from hundreds of miles away.
The word “hope” is often used, culturally, as a synonym for “strongly wish.” Even among Christians, “hope” might sound vague and squishy. I suspect some Christians’ hope would not withstand much scrutiny.
On what grounds do you have hope? What assures you of your hope? When will your hope be realized?
Peter answers these questions in the early part of his first letter.
A Living Hope
At the beginning of his letter, Peter uses the word “hope” to describe our status as believers.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3–5)
Specifically, Peter uses “living hope” to describe the state into which God has caused us to be “born again.” Hope is to be so present with Christians that it is our new residence. When we are made alive by God, we are (as it were) citizens of Hope. Christians are the hopeful ones, characterized by the joyful expectation that God will keep his promises.
Importantly, this hope we have is living. This modifier is not misplaced—our hope is living because our Savior is alive! Peter writes that we have been born again to this living hope “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Jesus’s resurrection makes our hope possible, vibrant, and vital.
Peter tells us some of the substance of this living hope, as we have been born again “to an inheritance.” This inheritance is pure and lasting, unlike any earthly inheritance, “kept in heaven” for us.
As Christians, Peter wants us leaning forward, eager for what is coming, like toddlers waiting for the whistle to start an egg hunt.
Hope in God
Later in this chapter, Peter reflects on Christ and the means of our salvation.
He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (1 Peter 1:20–21)
Because God raised Jesus from the dead and gave him glory, our faith and hope are in God. It is the “precious blood of Christ,” which is imperishable, by which we “were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from [our] forefathers” (1 Peter 1:18–19).
This is not just splitting hairs. Jesus’s suffering and death secure our ransom, and his resurrection and exaltation are the grounds for our faith and hope. We are always to be looking ahead with the confidence that God will keep his promises to us just as he kept them to Jesus.
Hope in Forthcoming Grace
The first command Peter gives in this letter comes in verse 13 of chapter 1.
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13)
Obeying this command requires our minds to be both ready for action and sober. Hope-setting is not for the lazy, the distracted, or the easily numbed. Our hope is a rudder, a precious tool, and we must be careful where it points.
Further, Peter exhorts us to set our hope fully on upcoming grace. It is not enough that we acknowledge this grace or look forward to it some of the time or with a divided heart. The grace that is coming to us is so transforming and thrilling that it demands our entire hope.
Peter also gives a time frame. We are not called to hope forever nor to look ahead to a vague, unspecified future. At “the revelation of Jesus Christ” everything will change and we will be new. Though we have already received (and continue, daily, to receive) buckets of grace, we will swim in an ocean at the revelation of Christ.
Grace Over All
Peter’s command in verse 13 (above) might sound impossible. It’s the first of several full-throated exhortations in that paragraph: “do not be conformed” to your former passions, “be holy in all your conduct,” “conduct yourselves with fear” (1 Peter 1:14–17).
Let’s not lose sight of the context, though. These commands are given knowing that we were ransomed from our futile, former ways (1 Peter 1:18). Like many commands in Scripture, these urge us to act like the new people we are instead of the former people we were.
Grace, thankfully, hangs over everything. If you feel small or inadequate reading these requirements, that’s good! You are. Like all of us, you need God’s grace which comes to us in Christ. God forgives our sin and enables our obedience by his Spirit.
And we have much to look forward to. One day we will know nothing of our former passions, we will be holy in everything, and we will fear God perfectly. There is so much grace waiting for us at the revelation of Jesus that we can’t fathom it all.
My years as an athlete ended in high school. I was decent in one sport, decidedly below average in a few others, and quite content to leave formal competition behind at graduation.
My high school coaches didn’t fit the stereotype of an athletic trainer. They were encouraging, supportive, and (mostly) kind. Perhaps because of movies and television, I picture a trainer differently: intense, aggressive, and maybe a little bit mean.
What comes to your mind when you think of training? Does training have any relationship to Christian discipleship? In this post we’ll learn about the trainer Paul describes for all believers, regardless of fitness level.
Grace is a Trainer
I’ve recently been turning the following passage over in my mind.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11–14)
God’s grace is training us. That may sound surprising, as many people wouldn’t put grace in the role of trainer. Before studying this passage, I’d list several aspects of the Christian life before grace when thinking of training, including law, God’s discipline, and the example of other believers.
But Paul lands on grace as our trainer. To understand Paul’s logic, let’s look just one chapter later in this letter.
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4–7)
We are not saved by our works, but by God’s mercy. We have been justified by God’s grace and have therefore become heirs of God. We are new people, through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
Through God’s favor, we now have an identity we do not deserve and would never choose. We are heirs of God.
God’s grace trains us because reflecting on our new identity is confrontational. His grace is contrary to our expectations, our nature, and even our basic notions of cause and effect. When we encounter God’s grace in this way, it forces us to grapple with what is true about God, us, and the way God really operates.
A trainer might force us to get out of bed to run when we’d rather sleep. The moral and religious path of least resistance is one of works and consequences. Grace, as our trainer, wakes us up and puts the uncomfortable (and wonderful) truth in our faces: we are justified by grace.
Training to Renounce and Live
Training always has a goal. Grace is “training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” In other words, God’s grace trains us to live as the new people we are.
The word “renounce” has teeth. It is different than “reject” or “refuse.” Renounce carries the idea that this was part of me and my lifestyle—but no more. To renounce is to intentionally put what I was behind me. Because we are justified, heirs of God, we can say “no more” to all the ungodliness and worldly passions that defined us.
Grace also trains us to live. This letter to Titus is full of what a “godly” life is like. (See Titus 1:5–9; 2:1–10; 3:1–2; 3:9–10.)
The renounce/live training that grace provides is similar to the put off/put on pattern of repentance that Paul describes in Ephesians 4:17–32. Because this is training, this renouncing and living is something Christians learn and practice throughout their lives.
Waiting For Our Blessed Hope
Part of our new living is “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Most of us don’t like to wait for anything, so we might bristle to learn that waiting is part of our Christian calling. Yet we know exactly what we’re called to wait for: the appearing of the glory of Jesus.
Paul also tells us why we should look forward to this appearing: because of what Jesus has done. Jesus “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” When Jesus gave himself for us there were (at least) two outcomes in mind: to redeem his people and to purify his people.
If Jesus gave himself for us for these world-altering ends, why wouldn’t his people eagerly long to see his glory?
The End of Our Training
All training is for a purpose—for an event or an outcome or a season of competition.
Similarly, grace trains us toward an end. We hope for the appearing of Jesus. When we see him, all will be made whole, all will be new. God’s children will receive their promised inheritance.
Paul refers to this as our “blessed hope.” Our progression in the Christian life will choke and sputter without this hope fueling our engines. There are many ways we can grow in hope, but hope is not optional for believers.
But we are not alone as we seek to grow. God’s grace is training us.
You should be thankful! Think how much worse things could be!
I’ve heard this advice throughout my life. I’ve probably given it plenty of times.
Is it good counsel? I’m not so sure. It doesn’t seem biblical, especially when “thankfulness” is understood to be the Christian virtue of contentment.
Paul: Content In Every Circumstance
Most Christian teaching I’ve read about contentment focuses on Paul’s writing in Philippians 4.
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil 4:10–13)
Paul learned a “secret,” allowing him to be content in any situation, whether in abundance or need. What is that secret?
We know that God gave Paul confidence to “do all things” because of the strength he provides. Perhaps that is the secret. But Paul doesn’t provide a how-to course on contentment. If the strength of the Lord, and the knowledge that the Lord provides that strength, is the key to contentment, a modern reader can be forgiven for thinking there are still some unanswered questions.
Critically, for our purposes, Paul makes no mention of comparison here. His reason for contentment seems to have little to do with knowing that he is better off than other people.
Content Because of the Lord’s Presence
Philippians 4 is a great place to start thinking about contentment in the Bible, but there are other relevant passages.
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5,6)
As the author of Hebrews is wrapping up his discourse, this passage follows the general command, “Let brotherly love continue” (Heb 13:1). Like another key passage (1 Timothy 6:6–8), Hebrews contrasts contentment with the love of money.
Unlike other passages, this author provides a substantial reason for being content: the promise of God’s presence. God has promised that he will not leave or forsake his people; therefore, we can be content with what we have.
The end of this short passage illuminates the way many view their possessions or wealth. If we are content with the Lord’s presence, we know he is our helper, and that surpasses anything man could do. For those who seek protection and security through their net worth, this serves as a stiff rebuke.
The Danger of Comparison
When we compare our situation to another’s, we are prone to fall into either envy or pride. The advice written at the top of this post tends toward the latter. It seems to say, God is caring better for you than he is for that other person, so be grateful! A path of superiority does end in godly contentment.
Instead of looking at others, the Bible suggests we look to the Lord for our contentment. We should not take stock of what we have or do not have, but rather who is ours.
In Christ, the promise of God’s abiding presence made to saints of old is both made to us and kept. Jesus secured that promise for us, and the promise is realized through the Holy Spirit.
For believers, God is with us. He is our helper; we have no need to fear; what can man do to us?
Names in the Bible are significant, none more than the names and titles of God. The biblical authors emphasize one of God’s strengths or an aspect of his character by the names they use for him.
In his epistle to the Romans, the apostle Paul is no exception. Among others, he refers to “God our Father” (Romans 1:7), the “immortal God” (Romans 1:23), the “living God” (Romans 9:26), the “God of endurance and encouragement” (Romans 15:5), and the “God of peace” (Romans 16:20). Each title or description of God is both informed by and informs the context in which it is used.
I have been writing about hope for some time now, so I was quite drawn to Paul’s use of “the God of hope” in Romans 15:13.
Why Jesus Came to the Jews
After writing about church unity in the previous chapters, in Romans 15:8 Paul starts to address the inclusion of the Gentiles among God’s people.
He writes, “Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs” (Romans 15:8). Because God promised a deliverer to the Jewish people, and because God keeps his promises, Christ came to Israel first.
However, part of showing “God’s truthfulness” involved the Gentiles “glorify[ing] God for his mercy” (Romans 15:9). Though God’s promises were given to Israel, they have never been limited to Israel. One of God’s earliest covenant promises mentioned blessings in Abram for “all the families of the earth” (Genesis 12:3).
The Gentiles Will Hope in Christ
Note the way Paul quotes the Old Testament in a crescendo in Romans 15:9–12. He layers promises and exhortations to reach the final truth about the Gentiles.
There will be praise (by Israelites) “among the Gentiles” (Romans 15:9).
Gentiles are called to rejoice “with his people” (Romans 15:10).
The Gentiles are exhorted to “praise the Lord,” that “all the peoples” would extol him (Romans 15:11).
Finally, the Messianic promise mentions the “root of Jesse” who will “rule the Gentiles,” and “in him will the Gentiles hope” (Romans 15:12).
This hope in Christ connects to the beginning of the passage, that Jesus came to the circumcised so that “the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy” (Romans 15:9). The gospel message came first to the Jews and then spread to the Gentiles; this was a message that brought hope for people who experienced the mercy of God.
Abounding in Hope
We cannot understand what it means to refer to God as “the God of hope” without this context in Romans 15.
First, this title labels Jesus as God. The Gentiles would hope in the root of Jesse, which refers to Jesus. By using “God of hope” in the next breath, Paul underlines Jesus’s divinity.
Additionally, God is the one who brought all prophecies and promises to fulfillment. The presence of Gentiles in the church at Rome shows “God’s truthfulness”—he sent his son, showing mercy to countless people, as he said he would.
Further, God is the one who can “fill” us with joy and peace, so that by the Holy Spirit we can “abound in hope.”
It may be tempting to think this “filling” is passive, like a donut being filled with jelly. And while such filling will not happen without God’s work, as with many aspects of the Christian life, our seeking and God’s providing go hand in hand.
We abound in hope, therefore, by looking to the God of hope. We seek joy and peace in believing what he has said. In this context, this means we read and rehearse his promises. We envision a world in which these promises all come to pass, and we rejoice at the peace present in that world. We can rest when we are convinced that our promise-keeping God keeps his promises.
I see a lot of pessimism and cynicism in the world today. These attitudes can breed deep discouragement and anger. But there is no need for Christians to be trapped in this whirlpool.
When the God of hope fills us with all joy and peace in believing what he has said, we will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). May it be so for us all.
