"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Romans 8:24-25 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul gives the believers in The Church in Rome a brief discourse on hope. He states that hope is essentially faith in Christ and the things that will come to pass. He told them that this hope is the bases of their salvation. Hope is based upon that which they do not have, but they have no doubt that that they will receive.
One of the great principals of Christian belief is hope. Paul's use of the word "hope" here makes it appear to be interchangeable with the word "faith". Bible scholar Matthew Henry says that faith is the promise and hope is the thing that is promised. He says faith is the evidence and hope is the expectation. Either way, faith and hope are inexplicably linked. Paul's statement about hope not being based upon that which is seen, is similar to the definition of faith which is presented by the unknown author in Hebrews. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) We know that without a believing faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6) Our hope and faith exist and are strong because we know that after we have done the will of God, we will receive our reward from Him. ( Hebrews 10:35-36) Our hope is in The Lord (Psalms 39:7, Psalms 146:5, Jeremiah 17:7, and Lamentations 3:24), and in His mercy (Psalms 33:18), and in that which is to come. (1 Thessalonians 2:19) Christ is coming back for His Church. (John 14:3, John 14:28, and 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18) We are just doing our part in kingdom building now while we wait patiently for His return.
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