Our Only Hope: I Graven Thee Upon The Palms Of My Hands

Christ is the ground of our hope. Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39.

He is the incarnate God and will complete the plan of human redemption.

A body hast Thou prepared Me...Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God. Hebrews 10:5-7.

Jesus is the Lamb of God:

• which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29

• slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8. 

Thus we are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Peter 1:19

Moreover, God raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 1 Peter 1:19-21.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1, 2.

The dearest price has been paid and the greatest sacrifice offered for the human's redemption.

For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23.

Thus God justifies us freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood. Romans 3:24, 25.

This is the foundation of the Christian's hope.

Therefore, Christ received from God the Father honor and glory - This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 17:5.

Furthermore, the God of Heaven loves us as He loves His Son.

The hope of salvation

Humans have no power to regenerate themselves. Therefore, Christ is our only hope.

There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Neither is there salvation in any other. Acts 4:12.

It is by depending solely upon the merits of the crucified and risen Savior and His atonement.

Moreover, by realizing that the cross is the center of hope for humanity and thus understanding the gospel that Christ taught.

The Word was with God, and the Word was God...All things and the world were made by Him…

The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us full of grace and truth. John 1;1, 4, 7, 14.

He took the nature of humans, and lived a sinless life in this world. Therefore, Christ alone could make atonement for sinners.

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, 

to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Romans 3:25.

The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7.

Furthermore, He came to bear testimony that fallen human beings, through faith in His power and virtue as the Son of God, may become partakers of the Divine nature.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in His name: John 1:12.

In God's great love He provides hope for the hopeless, giving His only begotten Son to bear the sins of the world.

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25.

The hope of glory

The mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints:

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles (all people) - which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:26, 27.

Christ prayed for His people:

As thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us...

And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them (Christ character and His righteousness)...

I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me. John 17:21-23.

Christ within is the glory of God, the big hope of eternal life.

Can we take that in? The God of Heaven loves us as He loves His Son.

It is the gospel of the grace of God alone that can uplift the soul.

The contemplation of the love of God manifested in His Son will stir the heart and arouse the powers of the soul as nothing else can.

Christ came that He might re-create the image of God in humankind.

All selfishness would be banished from our lives if we comprehend the amazing sacrifice made by the Majesty of Heaven.

Paul showed how the Son of God had laid aside His glory, voluntarily subjecting Himself to the conditions of human nature.

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. 

But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:6, 7.

Then He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8.

All that He might lift fallen humans from degradation to hope, joy and Heaven.

The new creation

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Through the power of Christ, men and women have:

• broken the chains of sinful habit

• renounced selfishness

• become transformed into the image of God.

This change is in itself the miracle of miracles done by the Word of God.

We cannot understand it. We can only believe, as declared by the Scriptures - it is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, 

that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:14, 15.

He is the only remedy for the sins and sorrows of humans. Moreover, He alone can give us a new heart of love for the selfish heart of sin.

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. Ezekiel 36:26.

Thus selfishness can be eradicated only through submission to Christ.

According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3.

Therefore, we must repent toward God for transgressing His holy Law and exercise faith in Christ - our atoning sacrifice.

Moreover, we obtain the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; and become a partaker of the divine nature. 

We are children of God, having received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father! Romans 8:15.

Christ bids us love one another as He loves us. Thus we bear testimony to the world that Christ was formed within, the hope of glory.

A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34.

We know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. 

And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure. 1 John 3:2, 3.

The hope of eternal life

Eternal life is an infinite gift. This places it outside the possibility of earning it. As a gift it must be received by faith and gratitude and praise be offered to God.

The righteousness of Christ must go before us, then the glory of the Lord becomes our reward.

For only through Him we can be heirs to eternal life.

If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:29.

God has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3, 4.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6.

Thus we come off more than conquerors through Him that has loved us and gave His life for us. Romans 8:37.

The condition of eternal life is now just what it always has been, even before the fall of our first parents - perfect obedience to the law of God, and righteousness.

The sacrifice of Christ on Calvary's cross fulfilled the demands of the law. Therefore, there is power in Christ to cleanse the soul.

Immortality had been forfeited by transgression. Adam could not transmit to his posterity that which he did not possess.

Thus there could have been no hope for the fallen race. Nevertheless, the sacrifice of God’s Only-begotten Son brought immortality within our reach.

While death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned, Christ hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Romans 5:12; 2 Timothy 1:10.

Therefore, only through Christ we can obtain immortality.

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life. John 3:36.

Christ second coming

Nothing less than the death of Christ could make His love effective for us. It is only because of His death that we can look with joy to His second coming.

His sacrifice is the center of our hope. Upon this we must fix our faith.

The message proclaimed by Christ's disciples bore the good tidings of salvation through faith in Him.

Moreover, it pointed forward to His second coming in glory, setting before His people the hope of sharing the inheritance of the saints.

I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3; to complete the great work of redemption.

This message is given to humanity today. It is updated with the announcement of Christ's second coming as at hand.

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. Job 19:25.

When Christ shall come the second time, to be admired in all those who believe - death shall be swallowed up in victory;

and there shall be no more crying, sorrow, pain and death. 2 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 15:54, Revelation 21:4.

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1 Corinthians 15:19.

To God's pilgrim people, so long left to sojourn in the region and shadow of death, a joy-inspiring hope is given in the promise of His appearing, 

who is the resurrection and the life, to bring home again his banished. Matthew 4:16, John 11:25, 2 Samuel 14:13.

Conclusion

We have this glorious hope - the redemption that Christ has purchased for us by His own blood - big with immortality and full of glory.

Therefore, sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: 

and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. 1 Peter 3:15.

Through grace we shall be able to make our calling and election sure, putting on the excellency of Christ in spirit and character.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

 by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience experience; experience hope: 

and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:1-5.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4.

References:

1. COL 254; GC88 467, 533; BE, Oct 1894; PP 73; AA 333, 476; 2T 633 - The Ellen G. White Estate

2. The Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Your Creator And Redeemer Longs For You - Take Him At His Word

Learn to trust in God's love and His power to save and restore His moral image in you.

The Spirit of God is pleading with you to seek for those things that alone can give you peace and rest - the grace of Christ and the joy of holiness.

Give to Christ your guilt and fear today. He can satisfy the craving of your heart. Believe the Son of God.

His hand is stretched out still.