Focus: Our Heavenly Hope

Text: Col.1:5

"The hope which is laid up for you in heaven."

Paul tells us by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that the believer in Christ has hope laid up for him in heaven. The believer's hope is beyond this life and this world. 

Peter tells us that we have been saved and called to an "inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (1Pet.1:4). Paul declares, "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil.3:20). Paul is simply saying that we are citizens of heaven, doing the business of heaven on earth. We are given physical bodies to function here on earth, but we are of a truth of heavenly origin. We are playing the politics of heaven and executing the policies of God on earth's space.

Paul says concerning the believer's resurrection body, "For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven" (2Cor.5:2). The believer's resurrection body is coming from heaven, and concerning his blessing, he says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph.1:3). The believer's blessings reside in Christ in the heavens. In Luke 6:23 the Lord Jesus Christ tells us that for the good we do, that our reward is great in heaven.

Paul exhorts us, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" (Col.3:1). The believer's mind must be fixed on heavenly things and pursue them with diligence and earnestness. In fact, Paul makes us understand that the believer is already sitting in the heavens in Christ Jesus. 

The believer is already occupying his place in heaven, spiritually speaking, and it is only a matter of time, he will find himself there - body, soul and spirit. Indeed, Paul asserts that our Lord Jesus Christ is Himself the Lord from heaven.

He says, "The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from Heaven" (1Cor.15:47). Jesus Christ is the second and last Adam, and he is the Lord from heaven.

In the issue concerning transfer of wealth, the Lord Jesus Christ instructs us, "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal" (Mt.6:20). Everything about the believer in Christ is heaven-oriented. Everything is characterized by and connected with heaven. The believer must endeavor to transfer virtually all his wealth to heaven. He has to set his mind on things which are in heaven.

God Almighty has the believer's hope laid up in heaven, and that means that our hope is not earth-based or earth-bound. Our hope in Jesus Christ never fades or dims. Our hope, like light, shines brighter and brighter. It glows. John tells us that those who have this kind of hope purify themselves. He declares, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1Jh.3:3). We read, "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2Cor.5:1). 

Our hope is a living one, blessed and eternal. It is a good hope through grace. It is the hope of the gospel, of salvation, of righteousness by faith, and of glory. God has set before us a great hope, and it is our anchor in this world that is sailing like a ship. Our God is known as the God of hope.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter