So far in this series of posts from Ephesians 4:4-6 we have seen there is one body and one Spirit. The one body is the body of Christ, the church. The One Spirit is the One who has united the church, the Holy Spirit. He is God, the third Person of the Trinity. He baptizes believers into the one body (1 Corinthians 12:13), gives us new birth (John 3:3-8), and dwells in us (John 14:16-17).
The next awesome truth that unites the church is our one hope. The word “hope” is a bit ambiguous. We need to be sure we understand what it means. Biblical hope is not like, “I hope I get this new promotion.” Biblical hope is not wishful thinking or uncertainty. It is certain. A missionary friend of mine recently gave the following definition in a Bible study: “Hope is a settled confidence in a definite future.” That is a simple definition, but it is very good. The hope of those in Christ is not uncertain. It is confidence in a certain future.
This “one hope” is referring to our future hope, which is found in Jesus’ return. While true believers in Jesus Christ differ in some of the details, we agree that He is coming again! He will come again as He went into heaven (Acts 1:11). He will come again and receive us to Himself, so we can be where He is (John 14:1-3). This one hope unites the body of Christ. Believers have confidence in Jesus’ coming.
This hope was set in eternity past with our election (Revelation 13:8). It looks ahead to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ when God will united all things under Jesus’ unquestioned headship (Ephesians 1:9-10).
In Titus 2:11-14 Paul calls this hope the blessed hope. It is the happy hope. Jesus will return. The One who came and gave Himself for us is coming again for us. He promised that He would go and prepare a place for us, and that He would come again to take us to be with Him (John 14:1-3). He will keep that promise.
Peter said in 1 Peter 1:3-4 that we have been born again to a living hope. We are not bound to a dead hope or wishful thinking. Our hope is a living hope, stored up in heaven for us. It is based in the person and work of Jesus.
This one hope is also an exclusive hope. It is only for those who are born again by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). So, this hope is a hope that is reserved for believers in Jesus only. We are waiting for the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior (Titus 2:13). We share in one hope, which is the only hope, exclusively reserved for those who are believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. This one hope unites the church.
Are you ready for His coming? Are you trusting only in Him? He will come to rescue His own. He will come to judge those who have not turned to Him in faith. Revelation 19:11-21 holds great hope for those who belong to Jesus, but it is terrifying for those who do not know Him. I challenge you to read it. If you have trusted in Him, read it with joy! Jesus will return and make everything right again. If you have not trusted in Him, I pray you will read and understand the wrath of God against sin. I pray the one Spirit will give you life to trust in Jesus. I pray you will turn to Jesus Christ to be saved. He has faced the wrath of God in His death on the cross for all who will trust in Him (Matthew 27:46; 1 John 2:2). He is alive today. The Father has “…raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:20-21). He is coming again!
Have you trusted in Him? Do you believe He has died for you? Have you embraced Him? “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). He could come today. Unless you trust in Him, you will face His judgement. Look to Jesus, and He will save you for Himself.
Believers in Jesus, read the words of Revelation 22:20 and find great joy and hope. “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Indeed! Come, Lord Jesus! Come!
“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21)
Bill Whittington
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