"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" (Romans 15:4)

Hope is an amazing thing. If you can cling to hope in the midst of trials, a difficult situation can become bearable because hope will enable you to get through it. As believers hope is a necessary part of life. We must cling to certain things so that we can come out on the other side of difficulties unscathed by the world around us. Romans 8:24 says, "hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? "The realization of our hope cannot be seen yet, but today's passage explains to us where this hope is rooted and where to find this hope necessary for life.

Paul said, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" ( Romans 15:4 ). The Word of God was written to give us hope in this life.  Hope in this passage of Romans 15 is subjective; which means we must use the personal accounts of scripture to decide and determine for ourselves where our hope is based. We are to take the information presented and make a judgment on it. Will we use it to have the hope that the Word offers? Or will we disregard the Word as just another book and wander through life hopelessly? The scriptures were written to encourage us and build us up in faith, love and hope.

Vines Dictionary defines this type of hope as 'favorable and confident expectation'. It has to do with the unseen and the future. This definition of hope describes the happy anticipation of the good which is coming for the believer. It comes from the Greek word, elpis (el-pece') which means to anticipate, usually with pleasure; expectation or confidence. As you can see, hope is essential to the believer. We can rest securely in our future because of the hope the scripture offers us with Jesus as our guarantor.

Here are some examples of the hope the scriptures highlight. As believers these are meant to encourage us and teach us, giving us the foundation to place our expectations on. As Christians we have hope of the resurrection of the dead ( Acts 23:6 ). Hope of the promise ( Acts 26:6-7 ). The hope of righteousness ( Galatians 5:5 ). The hope of the Gospel ( Colossians 1:23 ). The hope of the glory of God ( Romans 5:2 ). The blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ ( Titus 2:13 ). The hope of salvation ( I Thessalonians 5:8 ). The hope of his calling ( Ephesians 1:18 ). The hope of eternal life ( Titus 1:2, Titus 3:7 ). The hope of Israel ( Acts 28:20 ). All of these things are very important for us to know and be built on and encouraged in. Understanding these truths as presented in the scriptures will help us decide and know the hope of our calling and future in Christ Jesus.

Paul told Timothy, "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" ( II Timothy 3:14-17 ). This is why we cling to the word of God, which is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. It gives us the foundation for the hope we have in Christ Jesus. That foundation is a sure foundation based on Christ Jesus and the precious promises He has spoken to us. Today, I pray that you hold steadfast to the Word and draw your encouragement from it. You will be blessed with a wonderful expectation of the things which are coming. Knowing these things is what gives you the hope of your future with Christ.

"For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me" (Romans 15:3)

While on this earth Jesus did not seek that of his own interests, instead he was about his Father's business. We see this theme running throughout the gospels dating clear back to when he was twelve and his parents found him in the temple listening and asking questions. When they finally found him after searching intently, they asked why he had treated them in such a manner. He answered, "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" ( Luke 2:49 ). One way to put it was that it was necessary for him to be in His Father's house and occupied with His business. His parents didn't understand this at the time, but thankfully for us Jesus was consumed with the Father's will and accomplishing it on earth.

Today's passage is a reminder that we are to consider Christ, who looked not to his own interest or to pleasing himself, but instead looked to pleasing God. David prophesied about the Christ when he said, "for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me" ( Psalm 69:9 ). Christ faced much opposition in this life but he gave no thought to these things. He was focused and on His mission the entire time. He was intent on doing the redemptive work that the Father gave him. Love and fervor for His house consumed him. This is evident in the things that Jesus said and did. He constantly reminded the disciples that he only said what the Father said and he only did what he saw the Father do ( John 5:19 ). He said that the works he did testified to the fact that he came from the Father. ( John 10:25 ). He was consumed with his mission and showed us the Father by who he was. Hebrews says, "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" ( Hebrews 1:3a ). Everything that God is can be seen and understood by knowing Christ; he is the exact representation of the Father for us. This was accomplished because He looked not to please himself but to please God and do His will.

As believers we are to follow Christ's example. Romans 15 begins by saying, "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." ( Romans 15:1-3 ). When we are seeking the interests of God and His kingdom we are building up each other in the truth because we are operating as God operates. Not only will we encourage our brothers and sisters in living this way, but we are showing Christ to the world. I John 4:17 says, "In this world we are like him", the King James Bible says it this way, "because as he is, so are we in this world". Just as Christ was the exact representation of God to the world so that we could understand him, we are the exact representation of Christ in this world. This likeness was deposited in our born again spirits so if we live out of this new nature then the world around us will see Christ and know the Father by our actions.

What an amazing truth to know and understand. We should not look to our own interests but we should be looking to God and operating in his will for our lives. We should be consumed with His house and busy about His business. We are to consider Christ as our example and pursue the kingdom in everything we do building up and encouraging the body and showing God's love to the world.