Hope Blockers
Over the next day or two we will be studying a passage in Romans Chapter 5 that talks about hope and what can prevent it from growing in our lives.
Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.
Romans 5:2 Amplified
Our belief in Jesus Christ opens the door for us to receive God's grace which means we live in His favor. When you have favor with someone they do extra things for you, they surprise you with unexpected treats that bring joy to your heart and a smile to your face. Our favor with God is even better.
Because Jesus paid the debt of our sin in full, we can come into God's presence and we can live there. God delights in our presence and will, according to what we believe, pour down blessings in our lives that we cannot contain. I have to admit that in my early years as a Christian, I thought the blessings would come in the shape of material things but there is so much more to life than possessions. Then for a while I thought the blessings would be a position or a title either at work or in church. When the blessings I expected in those things did not come I asked God why not and His response taught me that the greatest blessings we have in life come not in the form of things we can see but in the confident assurance in our heart of His great love for us and all the benefits of mercy, grace, protection and guidance that He so generously pours out on those who look to Him in hope and expectation.
It is because of God's favor (His extravagant love) for us that we can even enter His presence. Think about that, the Lord God Almighty who is holy and pure wants us, broken and hurting people, and He does not want us with any hidden motives. God simply loves us and wants us. There is only one requirement - believe in His Son, Jesus. It is through our faith that we can discover the joy and hope of God's presence and eternal life.
So what can block our hope? There are several things that can block hope in our lives.
Limiting the amount of our hearts that we give to Jesus will block hope. When we hold anything back from God we are saying that it is more important than He is. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, all our mind, and all our body. We have to surrender everything to God in order to build and keep hope.
Trying to hide or ignore the hidden things in our lives will prevent us from experiencing the joy of hope. Secrets always bring destruction. I have learned through sharing my secrets with God and another person that the shame and guilt are removed leaving more room for hope to grow. There is a whole new level of freedom when we expose our secrets to the light of Christ.
We can prevent hope by refusing to forgive others. Unforgiveness allows anger and resentment to remain and both of these things prevent hope from growing. Just as Christ has given us complete forgiveness on the cross likewise, we must forgive anyone who has hurt or abused or taken advantage of us. Holding on to unforgiveness will eventually destroy us. If you really want to see hope grow, you have to search your heart and give the mercy that you have so freely been given by Jesus to others.
Spend some time alone with God and be honest with Him about your thoughts and feelings. Ask Him to help you remove anything that is blocking hope in your life.
Hope grows when we hold nothing back from God.
Heidirn
.
Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.
Romans 5:2 Amplified
Our belief in Jesus Christ opens the door for us to receive God's grace which means we live in His favor. When you have favor with someone they do extra things for you, they surprise you with unexpected treats that bring joy to your heart and a smile to your face. Our favor with God is even better.
Because Jesus paid the debt of our sin in full, we can come into God's presence and we can live there. God delights in our presence and will, according to what we believe, pour down blessings in our lives that we cannot contain. I have to admit that in my early years as a Christian, I thought the blessings would come in the shape of material things but there is so much more to life than possessions. Then for a while I thought the blessings would be a position or a title either at work or in church. When the blessings I expected in those things did not come I asked God why not and His response taught me that the greatest blessings we have in life come not in the form of things we can see but in the confident assurance in our heart of His great love for us and all the benefits of mercy, grace, protection and guidance that He so generously pours out on those who look to Him in hope and expectation.
It is because of God's favor (His extravagant love) for us that we can even enter His presence. Think about that, the Lord God Almighty who is holy and pure wants us, broken and hurting people, and He does not want us with any hidden motives. God simply loves us and wants us. There is only one requirement - believe in His Son, Jesus. It is through our faith that we can discover the joy and hope of God's presence and eternal life.
So what can block our hope? There are several things that can block hope in our lives.
Limiting the amount of our hearts that we give to Jesus will block hope. When we hold anything back from God we are saying that it is more important than He is. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, all our mind, and all our body. We have to surrender everything to God in order to build and keep hope.
Trying to hide or ignore the hidden things in our lives will prevent us from experiencing the joy of hope. Secrets always bring destruction. I have learned through sharing my secrets with God and another person that the shame and guilt are removed leaving more room for hope to grow. There is a whole new level of freedom when we expose our secrets to the light of Christ.
We can prevent hope by refusing to forgive others. Unforgiveness allows anger and resentment to remain and both of these things prevent hope from growing. Just as Christ has given us complete forgiveness on the cross likewise, we must forgive anyone who has hurt or abused or taken advantage of us. Holding on to unforgiveness will eventually destroy us. If you really want to see hope grow, you have to search your heart and give the mercy that you have so freely been given by Jesus to others.
Spend some time alone with God and be honest with Him about your thoughts and feelings. Ask Him to help you remove anything that is blocking hope in your life.
Hope grows when we hold nothing back from God.
Heidirn
.
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