1 Corinthians 15:19
1 Corinthians 15:19
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
The group of misled Corinthians believed that the body and spirit would be destroyed at death, as many in the culture believed. If this were the case, they would have viewed the benefits of faith in Christ as limited to this life before death. In this verse Paul starts by rejecting the idea that such an experience would be worthwhile. What a waste of time it would be if our hope in Christ ended with our physical death in this life. By grace through faith, we have divine evidence of things not seen that are held in trust by God for us. As Christians, our hope is not only centered on the peace of the Lord and His great sufficiency in this life, but also on the joy that surpasses all words in the life to come. Nevertheless, until we reach our heavenly residence, we are faced with suffering, disappointments, trials, and tribulations in this world, knowing that our hope rests in Christ and will endure forever. We do not place our hope in this world. Our hope is eternal, as it was planned by God in His heart. This is firmly anchored in His immutable Word and was cemented in heaven at the moment Christ rose from the tomb. By this, the Lord Jesus broke the power of sin, death, and hell for all who believe in Him.
Psalms 42:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
1 Peter 1:13
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Psalm 147:11
The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.