In previous posts we’ve look at truths about God’s Word in Romans 15:4 and the effects these realities should have on our Bible teaching.
- Since everything was written to teach us, then we should teach the whole counsel of God and its value.
- Since Scripture teaches endurance, then we should teach not just what it says but what it means for our lives.
- Since Scripture provides encouragement, then we should use it to build up rather than tear down.
All of that leads to hope. And, since we find hope through God’s Word, then we should teach in ways that generate an expectation that God will indeed do what He says.
Why Hope Is So Essential to Our Walk with God
God uses His Word to teach endurance and provide encouragement so “we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). But, why is hope so essential?
We need to believe that even when life becomes difficult, God still cares and will work all things for our good (Rom. 8:28). We need to trust that even when people around us disappoint, disapprove, or disparage us, God is still there for us and will someday right the wrongs. There’s a bigger picture. With such hope, we will get beyond our own feelings and think about the benefit of others, like Christ of whom “it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.'” (Rom. 5:3).
Consider the results having hope that has been learned through the endurance Scripture teaches and the encouragement it provides:
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 15:5-6)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)
Since We Find Hope Through God’s Word, Then We Should Use It in a Way That Generates Faith
God defines faith in Hebrews 11:1. — “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” — If we read through that chapter in Hebrews, we’ll discover that faith is what enabled people recorded in Scripture to endure. They had the expectation, and confidence, that God would do what He promised even though they didn’t yet see evidence of it. They placed their confidence in a God who was able, who cared, and would be faithful. They put their faith, not merely in some dogma but rather in “the God who gives endurance and encouragement” (Rom. 15:5).
We won’t tend to generate faith with the line “because the Bible says so” but rather because its Author is trustworthy and won’t lie. People won’t find hope in a creed but rather in a God who is faithful and who works for our good just like He did throughout the pages of Scripture.
Scripture teaches endurance and provides encouragement that leads to hope because its Author is “the God who gives endurance and encouragement” (Rom. 15:5), “the God of hope” (Rom. 15:13).