Author: Pastor Rufus Ajiboye

The question arises why so many people start their walk with God but turn aside in one of the crossroads of life; they turn back to where they came from. It reminds me the story of Jewish people. For a long time this nation was in slavery in Egypt. They were burdened by hard work with no payment. The nation of Israel cried out to God, and God delivered them and brought them out of Egypt. They had to walk to the Promised Land. Every day they were getting closer to it. There were difficulties on their way; they had to flee some wrong things, avoid making wrong decisions, wrong relationships; they had to overcome grumbling and complaining. Israelites had to obtain more and more knowledge of God while heading towards their Promised Land.

Laying hold of eternal life means that a person strives to stay on the narrow road which leads to eternal life. Jesus knew that it would be so convenient for many to walk the broad road; being on this road, a person feels comfortable and lives without any restrictions; he does what he wants to do and is not limited by any commitments. But the Bible says that it is the way of sin, because a person is not accountable and moves ‘without brakes’, so to speak; this way leads to destruction. God says that we shouldn’t walk on this way. We must flee sin; we must cast aside all the worldly, ungodly things that hinder us, otherwise we won’t get to our destination – eternal life. Jesus says that many people will deny faith.

«But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses» (1Timothy, 6:11-12).

We say that these three things help us to lay hold on eternal life. We also established that eternal life has its beginning on earth when we get to know the only true God and His Son Jesus Christ.

«But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses» (1Timothy, 6:11-12).

In this passage of Scripture Paul talks about that our Christian life has three aspects: According to it, we must:

flee sin;

pursue righteousness;

fight the good fight of faith.

Describing the difficulties of the last days, Jesus said that there would be serious shakings and even the powers of heaven would be shaken. He said that there would be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; He predicted fear and perplexity among men, and roaring and storms in the sea. At that time some people will be extremely fearful; there will be fear of calamities, lots of depression; but others will raise their heads, praise God and joyfully expect their redemption, because they will have the hope of salvation.

Do you believe God wants to manifest His glory in your life among all your sorrows, sufferings, pain, deficiencies and illnesses? Do you expect the glory of God in your life? Do you have that hope, that is expectation of the God´s glory? If your answer is yes, nothing can lead you astray and your peace will flow like a river at the last days. You will also become a source of hope, inspiration and comfort for the other people.

Remember, whatever the horror of this world is, you can expect the glory of God in your life, since you´ve received the helmet of hope, so you know Christ lives in you, the hope of glory!

The God´s word says we are pilgrims and aliens, therefore, do your best to see your selves as such. Doing so we will take after people seeking heavenly home, those who desire not to return to the place they have exited, rather longing for something better, namely, heaven. God is not ashamed of those who are filled with hope of salvation. He is gladly calls Himself their God, for He has prepared a city for them – a shelter to stay in safety during the storm, flood or hunger. God has prepared comfort everlasting and obvious victory for their souls.

Hope already helps us to have peace nowadays, when thinking about our future. While hope always points our attention on the future, it already has auspicious impact on our life nowadays.

In order to effectively use hope of salvation as a weapon, we have to undeerstand who we are in this world and how we should you this world.

Paul wrote: « … and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.» (1 Corinthians 7: 31).

Today Abraham´s example shows us the way of life we should live in this world. It also helps us to understand the role of hope at the battle of the last days. Nothing in this world captured him nor temptation to become rich could influence his relationships with God, because he had the hope of salvation. Having the hope of salvation makes walking in faith easy nowadays. Regardless of what you have or lack you can easily rejoice even nowadays.

«But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God didn’t appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.».

We have already talked a lot about the role of faith and walking in love last time. Today we begin to discuss the role of hope of salvation. We need faith today. By faith we possess peace today, regardless of what is happening around us. By faith we enter God´s rest even nowadays.