… since we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Colossians 1:4-5a
Paul and Timothy have heard of the Colossians’ faith in Jesus. They’ve heard of the love they have for all the saints. Paul connects their love with the hope laid up for them in heaven.
Hope fixes our eyes beyond what we immediately see. Hope situates our heart in a greater reality. Other-worldly love is born of other-worldly hope.
Hope is a motivating force for love and holiness. Hope actually accomplishes what we believe guilt will accomplish. Guilt reminds us of our sins, shortcomings, and insufficiencies then demands we improve. Guilt may get us to show up at church. Guilt may get us to send that apology we need to send. Guilt may get us to shake the dust off our Bible. But guilt does not lead to healthy, long-term change; guilt does not lead to love. Indeed, it cannot.
Hope directs our hearts and minds to Jesus. We remember who he is and what he has accomplished in his life, death, resurrection, and ascension. With hearts and minds fixed on Christ, we live into the sacrificial love set before us. We live, then, in an economy of grace – grace received and grace extended. This community sees and feels all that is sad, evil, and wrong. But we see something beyond it.
We see hope. We see Jesus.
MB
