davidjjj Posted May 22, 2008 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, NIV I think this touches back on verse 14, speaking of the fullness of the inheritance that we as believers will receive when time meet eternity. Paul speaks of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sister Pauline Kelly Posted July 19, 2008 Report Share Posted July 19, 2008 What do we Christians have to look forward to?...Oh my, Heaven, the forgiveness of our sins...happiness forever with God. This hope should be a major motivation in our present day lives in that we have the confidence that God is true to his word and that what he says will come true. In our present-day lives this hope helps us to do the right thing at the proper time. Not to just let things go by and think there is no consequence for our actions, but help me to know and believe more and more that God loves me! The non-believer doesn't have this hope in God's words and therefore doesn't have the peace and joy that comes to us through the Holy Spirit. Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petalsandy Posted September 11, 2008 Report Share Posted September 11, 2008 Q1.(Ephesians 1:18b) What do we christians have too look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hhpe differ from the hope of the average non-believer? A Christian has to look forward to the promises of God. Eternal Life with God, being able to see God, being with God forever. We can look forward to a LIFE without sin, Everlasting Peace, Faithfu Love, Happiness beyond our imagination, being together as one people as God first intended us to be. I think a person who experiences this hope of glory consistently in everyday life is someone who really attempts to maintain his/her relationship with the LORD. I know that when I drift in Bible study, prayer, or worship I lose focus. We need to study God's word daily and commune/pray and seek direction on all decisions we make PRIOR to making any decision. We need to be prepared for Heaven. A word for thought "If we are not prepared here on earth now, HOW are we going to be prepared when Jesus returns?" we should be living our lives as the example of Jesus, we draw more folks to His light. non-believers dont have hope to view life (like those who do believe) because thier vision is blurred from the truth or just choose not to believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elisabeth Posted November 9, 2008 Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? I have been pondering this question for some days, as I didnt want to write a 'biblical' answer, but an answer from my heart. So what do i have to look forward to: Christ, my Lord Jesus Christ is my hope and my future, there are times when I look down or around and get distracted by worldly things, but when I look up to my Lord I know and have than God shaped fulfilment that I going to Him. The greatest thing about this hope is the lack of fear, how can I fear then I have such hope? Jesus said "fear not and believe". Looking to myself and others I begin to shake and tremble, looking to Jesus I have hope. The hope of Jesus is secure because God never changes, the foundation is set, our Lord is supreme Creator, sustainer of all things. Thanks be to God for His glorious Mercy and goodness to His children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elisabeth Posted November 9, 2008 Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? I have been pondering this question for some days, as I didn't want to write a biblical answer, but an answer from my heart. So what do I have to look forward to? Christ, my Lord Jesus is my hope and my future. There are times when I look down, or around and get distracted by wordly things, but when I look to my Lord I know and have that God shaped fulfilment that I am going to be with Him. The greatest thing about this hope is that lack of fear. Jesus said "fear not and believe", looking to myself and others I begin to shake and tremble, looking to Jesus I have hope. The hope of Jesus is secure, because God never changes, the foundation is set, our Lord is the supreme Creator and sustainer of all things. Thanks be to God for His glorious mercy and goodness to his children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna K Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 We Christians have to joy of looking forward one day being with Christ and seeing him face to face. We also have hope that we will see so many other believers in heaven with Christ. Imagine for a moment, all of us being there singing praises to God in one massive choir, along with all the angels. An incredible thought! We have the hope of eternal life, of death having been destroyed and of no more sorrow or pain. These hopes should help us to grow in the likeness of Christ, and to work inside and outside of the church while there is still time in our lives to do so. We will choose to emmulate Christ, to carefully decide what do to with each moment of each day, just for him. For the non-believer, there is no hope except in this world. Its temporary, unpredictable. Grab what you can now, because soon it won't exist any more. LIve while you're young, because soon you will be old and die. But we have eternity with Christ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunway4u2 Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 What do we as Christians have to look forward to? Our redemption, our salvation, seeing Jesus Chirst our Lord and CREATOR. Knowing that we will spend eternity with him. As a major motivation in our lives; We should be living each and every day with eternity in mind. Since we are here in a physcial earthly body but already live in eternity. We need to grasp this. We are finite in this physical realm however, the work is compled by Chirst Jesus and we now are part of his eternal kingdom. We should be living each day with this knowledge in the "front part of our minds" in other words not to loose focus. Our decisions and lifestyle of our daily lives should be based on the knoweledge that everything we do, every thought we have is being watched, listened to and recorded. So with the knowledge that we have been redeemed from sin and it's hold on our lives; that we should be filled with joy overflowing joy so that we "will be the light of the world". So let your light so shine before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven. Non-believers really have no hope. They live and work all their lives trying and trying. Putting faith in their 401k's, bonds and the such which is passing away. They live in fear of what is happening in this country and in the world. We are to be examples so that the lost will see the joy and hope that we have. Inquire and by the grace of God we can present the gospel in a fashion that will want to become followers of Christ and want a personal relationship with our glorious savior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edler Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? And new home in glory and been in the presentof God.Jesus give us the courage to know God will always be there to answere pray for us in this present day lives.one we know God is working our future out andknow this my decision is basic on God and my lifestyle have been change.How hope is basic on jesus christ blood and rightouness non-believer have only there self. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicki Higgins Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 We, as Christians, have the promise of eternity spent with Jesus to look forward to! This should be a major motivation in our present-day lives as something that encourages us to grow as close as we can to Him and to want to bring everybody we care about with us. This hope should affect our decisions and our lifestyle with the realization that He sacrificed everything for us and we should show our gratitude and love by acting in a way that is pleasing to Him. Our great hope differs from the hope of the average non-believer in that we know what we have to look forward to and it's awesome, whereas they maybe have some vague idea that there's something after death or they may think death is just the end, but either way, it's not solid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonia Posted May 27, 2009 Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? As Christians we have an eternity with Jesus Christ our Lord, we get to abide with our God. "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God Himself will be with them and be there God." How beautiful is that!! He will dwell with us...I can't wait for the day! "He will wipe away ever tear." We will be fully restored to Him...wow!! He said, "those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God." It is motivating because I am reminded I am wanted and have been pursued so I need to run into His arms now and fall in Love with Him more and more every day and worship Him in gratitude for all He has done. He has Loved me unconditionally, even though I am undeserving. So what will I do in this present day?I will grab hold of Him now, Live my life according to Him now, walk with Him now, trust Him now, obey Him now, seek Him now, fall in Love with Him now! The day I get to see my Papa face to face will be the sweetest day!! Our great hope vs. a NB is different in the sense that we are certain. Our life after this will be forever with God and our time spent here on this earth I can be free...imagine standing on a ledge backwards over a cliff and jumping off (no parachute) without a second thought in mind. "because I know whom I have believed and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day." [2 Tim 1:12] Fully trusting my life in the hands of God having no need for concern. I AM FREE! Visit My Website Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted June 13, 2009 Report Share Posted June 13, 2009 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? His glorious inheritance! Eternal life with Him, a resurrection body which will not get sick or die, rewards he's stored for us there, fellowhip with the Saints from throughout the ages, life as He intended for His children before the fall of Adam. How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? It should cause me to live with my eyes on the prize...the knowledge that my kingdom and real home are in Heaven..This is a temporary place I'm passing through. How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? I'm here to reflect Jesus to others, and to fulfill the works He preordained for me to work, and to complete my destiny. My decisions and lifestyle should reflect that He is my priority, my Lord, my soon coming King. How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? The non believer may "hope" they'll end up in Heaven or "a better place", but our HOPE is an assurance that God has an inheritance stored up for us in Heaven. While here, the non believer may hope they get through this life, but our HOPE is the assurance that no matter what happens here, God is with us in it and will bring us through. We have His promises to hold onto, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, the guidance and provision of the Lord are promised, joy unspeakable, deliverance, abundant life....a destiny. The unbeliever has none of those things....except for uncertainty. We have the promise that we'll either be raptured or if we die before that time, that He'll come to escort us to Heaven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted July 19, 2009 Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? What a glorious future we have to look forward to! To think that we shall be with Christ and be like Him forever and also we shall be sons of God and reign with Him forever! Since the whole universe is under the reign of Christ we will therefore also inherit it all. We hope for this, not in the sense that there is any doubt about it, but we know this is what God has promised us. If we really appreciate the wealth of the glory of all He has in store for us, it will turn us away from the attractions and pleasures of this world, which only corrupt. Unlike us, unbelievers are without hope (Eph 2:12; 1Th 4:13). We have Christ who is our hope, and at His second coming this hope of glory will be fulfilled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasquatch Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? Christians have the "hope of glory" to look forward to or the firm expectation of Christ's return. The hope that the future will be better with Him. Christ paid the ransom for our freedom with his blood; we have redemption through Christ's blood--we are blood bought We have been chosen by God and predestined for his purpose. God chose us to be holy and blameless in his sight. We are adopted as God's sons and daughters. We are brothers and sisters with Christ. We are God's possession. We will share in the inheritance of the saints. We are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit. God made known to us the mystery of His will which is the fulfillment in the end times of God's plan for salvation in Christ. Christ's return givs us hope as Christ is to be the all in all; Christ is to be the head; all things will be put under his feet. In this difficult and sometimes grotesque and incomprehensible world, the one constant in my life is Christ. It is the greatest gift. It is reasonable to presume the hope of the non-believer simply cannot measure the hope of the Christian. The hope in Christ is without bound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayn Posted September 8, 2009 Report Share Posted September 8, 2009 We have to be looking forward to the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in His Glory. To take us up with Himself into His kingdom where there is no pain or sorrow. Our present struggles cannot compare with the glory of the Kingdom living. We believe that Christ died and is risen and as He has said " I'll come again so where I AM there you may be also". That is to say - "absent in the body, present with the Lord". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted April 6, 2010 Report Share Posted April 6, 2010 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? We have the certainty of spending eternity in God's presence as co-heirs with Jesus How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? It should be the focus of our lives. Our lives here are merely transitory, a means to an end which is eternity with God How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? To have the hope in the first place, we have to believe in Jesus and having done that dedeicate our lives here on earth to serving Him and to living our lives in a righteous way. We must also keep our eyes open to Christ and to this hope. I have heard this hope described as "pie in the sky when you die" but it has to be more than that. It is more than that, it is this certainty which Paul is describing and upon which all our faith is founded. How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? Non-believers in reality have no hope. For sure they have hopes for tomorrow being better than today. Maybe I will win the lottery, maybe I will get a promotion, maybe my football team will win the Premier League, but when it comes down to what really matters and to eternity, they have no hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLL Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? Being a Christian means we have an eternal life with Jesus Christ after our journey here. And knowing that we have always got something to look forward to so there is no need to let things trouble us even though we will. But in order to have this hope and eternal life we still should live a life that glorifies God and one that shows example so God can work through us to bring others into this wonderful glory land cause if the non believers dont accept Gods free gift they do not have the same hop to look forward to. All they have is death and eternal nothingness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wifee Posted June 8, 2010 Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? 1a) I look forward to a future with Jesus in heaven our in heritance, when my human body will be transformed to a spiritual body with no illness(I am disabled!) but perfect, & suffering no pain. b)This hope enables me to bear the difficulties of this life now. It motivates me keep my relationship close with Jesus studying the Word, sharing with others about the good news for now and also the future. When I drift in study I lose God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jripper Posted July 4, 2010 Report Share Posted July 4, 2010 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? By trying to be better with everyone, and asking JESUS< GOD for forgiveness. Today I went to confession, for the first time in 40 years. It made me feel better. Tomorrow, I can receive Holy Communion...... I thank God for having forgiven my sins...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gahongayire Posted July 28, 2010 Report Share Posted July 28, 2010 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? What do we Christians have to look forward to? Ours is to response to God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagsM Posted August 4, 2010 Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? In this life, we can look forward to fellowship with Christ's body - His church, and fellowship with the Holy Spirit. We can look forward to knowing God better. Who He is and just as importantly, who we are not. We can also look forward to persecutions from enemies of God and trials of every sort, but we should be encouraged because the afflictions of this life are working to produce patience and strengthen our faith. But we know His judgment is right, pure, and good. Pain is for a moment. He gives us such tender and consoling moments through the trials. He is precious. After this life, we'll all meet our Creator face to face. I look forward to it because I do want to know the One who is so utterly amazing, the One who made it all: the incredible Light and author of such Love and Purity and Holiness and Truth, not to mention how incredibly brilliant and super smart He is! I will finally know the Truth without all the distractions and lies of 'the enemy'. At the same time I cringe at the thought because I have not lived a great life and still make horrible mistakes and have not true discernment - but this is human pride and I pray that this does not prevent me from finishing the race. I pray that our God does wrap us in His embrace, and does hide us beneath His wings. This should affect my decisions and lifestyle by focusing on God's attributes and not my own - then I won't be prey - I believe St. Teresa of Avila terms it quite well: Pride (self-seeking and vain glory), Vanity (self-delusions, chasing after things that matter not) and Sensuality (how I feel). If I focus on HIM, I am in awe, if I focus on me - well - that doesn't lead to much good. As believers in Jesus Christ, our hope does differ from those who do not believe in Jesus as Savior and the Son of God. Let's just say thank you to our Father for Jesus. If I had to stand in front of Him for judgment on my own merit - my own actions in regard to His holy law - and counting those actions as righteousness - I would perish in hell. But because we believe in our Father's goodness, kindness, and promise He made to us in Jesus Christ, our belief is counted as righteousness. Righteousness gives us confidence before God in prayer. There is one way to the Father - that is through Jesus Christ. And this is a precious precious gift from our very Loving Father, who is all wise. Thank you Dear Father, and thank you, my Dear Savior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highohfaith Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? We are adopted by God and we look forward to living forever in His glorious Kingdom, eternal life.This hope is given to us only through the blood of Gods only Son Jesus Christ, who suffered on the cross, died, and rose again and will return again to claim the Kingdom of God and riegh forever and ever. Our hope resides in HIM now , and in His return! This is a major motivation for me because sometimes I become discouraged with what goes on here on Earth and I have to remind myself that this is all temporary, that our life is eternal and we will be renewed and saved with the second coming of Christ. My hope is in Jesus as my future, not what goes on here on earth. Non believers don't have any hope. The only HOPE to be had is the HOPE of Jesus Christ and His coming Kingdom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetZippy Posted February 5, 2011 Report Share Posted February 5, 2011 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? #1. We look forward daily to a continual communion with Him. We look eternally to His reign that begins now, with us as His ambassadors dispensing His will and His good pleasure; we are His possession. We look forward to resurrection with Christ. #2.To know that we are "in Christ" both now and through to eternity motivates me to live as if I am not of this world. I will live in faith, in hope, and in love. I will not live to prove myself right, but with the communion of the Holy Spirit. #3.The non-believer has no knowledge, or has not accepted his salvation and therefore cannot abide with the risen, powerful, resurrected Christ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetZippy Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? Hope...is both exciting and restful. We have hope that we are heirs with Christ, and are walking in our predestined plan, "for the praise of His glory" Our hope, our achievements are His glory, "on Earth as it is in Heaven", to share this inheritance, this knowledge and revelation with them. We have God's purpose being worked out in us on Earth and a wonderful resurrection in Heaven. Our present day lives will reflect our position/belief in Christ; that of an eternal purpose being worked through us for His glory. Every day is a gift, every challenge is a call for us for us to call on our Father, every joy is to be shared with the giver of life. Our motivation is to know Him better by knowing that we have been "included in Christ". This hope is the backbone to our hopes and decisions. All we do is based then on our position in Christ. We rejoice, we pray, and we rest. our hope is real; based on the resurrection power of Christ in us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jubilee Posted May 1, 2011 Report Share Posted May 1, 2011 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? We Christians have to look forward to Christ's coming in power and in glory (2 Peter 3:12) This hope should be a major motivation in our present-day lives because Christ's return is our "blessed hope" (Titus 2:13) and the "hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27b) for us. This hope should affect our decisions and our lifestyle because it is God's will for our hope to expand and embrace a big future, rather than shrivel in pain, bitterness, and discouragement or die in a parched desert of spiritual starvation. Our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer because we have been called to a future full of hope (Jeremiah 29:11) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jubilee Posted May 2, 2011 Report Share Posted May 2, 2011 Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? As Christians we have to look forward to Christ's second coming in power and in glory (2 Peter 3:12) This hope of ours should be a major motivation in our present-day lives because Christ's return is our "blessed hope" (Titus 2:13) and the "hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27b) for us. This hope should affect our decisions and our lifestyle because it is God's will for our hope to expand and embrace a big future, rather than shrivel in pain, bitterness, and discouragement or die in a parched desert of spiritual starvation. Our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer because we have been called to a future full of hope (Jeremiah 29:11) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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