Personal Bible Study

The Assurance of Hope

In Articles by Aaron Cozort

Titus 1:1-2 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. 

Paul opens this letter to Titus and reminds him of the acknowledgment of what God has promised in the hope of eternal life.  This hope is grounded in the assurance of God’s nature.  The certainty that God cannot lie.  God is not like the Devil, a liar from the beginning, for the Devil brought forth a message from himself.  Instead, Paul writes of eternal life that is assured because God cannot lie.  

Hebrews 6:10-12  For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.  And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 

God knows what each individual does on behalf of the Kingdom.  He knows the things that we suffer, the endeavors of labor, and love for the Christians and congregations. He knows those who have served and continue to serve.  

The Hebrew writer desires his readers continue on this path of diligent service until this guaranteed time when the promise is fulfilled.  There is a time — a moment — when the labors of ministry and confidence reach fulfillment.  

 

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on
Jesus’ name  

When darkness hides His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace

In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
 

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood

When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay
 

When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found

Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne
 

On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand