Christian Living

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I have been learning, over years at bible college, that there are really two central pillars to 'Hope' in Christianity. Hope realised, and hope eternal.

This much is probably obvious to any Christian. It should also be obvious that when Jesus returns the two will become one. This is the day that we 'hope' for (look to with absolute certainty!).

But, if either, which is more important?

This is not a major theological question today. I would merely say that, of the two, and for many (but not all) when people emphasise the eternal hope - that is, the hope of one day entering heaven - they permit themselves to live substandard, semi-martyred lives which prevent much of the fruit of the Spirit from growing - and replanting - in their lives. In short, what's the point in looking forward to heaven if you are going to choose to be miserable every day until you get there?

Don't get me wrong. I am looking forward to heaven. To see God in all his creative glory, to see a new thing every second of unquantifiable time (yes, I know, there won't be 'seconds'). To know God in a deeply personal way in which his presence is always there. To party with the angels and feast with the saints. Oh yes. Forever. Heaven will be fantastic, and no words can do it justice.

But that doesn't mean we get to spend our time on earth compensating for all the great delights of heaven.

No. My Bible says that it was for freedom that Christ set us free (Galatians 5:1). It says that if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed (John 8:36). It also says that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Cor. 3:17). The Spirit dwells in us.

With freedom comes great things. With freedom comes the ability not to take life too seriously (you'll never get out alive!). With it comes the ability to seek after God with all our hearts, and discover every day that he delights in us. He delights in us. Oh wow.

With freedom comes a life triumphant. Yes, there are bad days. But there are so many more good days. We should dance. We should sing. We should laugh loudest, and longest, and at nothing in particular. We should be completely undignified, and wear pink occasionally. We should smile, and keep the sparkle in our eyes alive.

Why? With freedom comes joy. A certainty and a knowledge that nothing this world can throw at us can take us away from God anymore, that Christ already won the final victory.

And that, in my opinion, is a realised hope. And that, in my opinion, entitles us to choose to live triumphant lives. Jesus triumphed first, and loudest, and won the right for us to do the same.

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