You Are Our Glory

Paul, speaking of himself and his fellow missionaries, declared to his disciples that his Hope was to see them with Jesus at Jesus’ return. In other words, he longed to see his work carried out to its conclusion. He was ever trusting that he would be there at the Coming of Christ to see that his labors had borne fruit—that the people he had ministered to would make it to the Rapture without falling away from Christ into sin.

For what is our Hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his Coming? For you are our glory and joy (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20; NKJV).

Paul’s Hope was not to have the biggest congregation, to collect the most tithes, to build a convention center, to start a new school, to found a missionary-sending organization, to retire financially independent, to open a new hospital, or to solve the problem of poverty in the World. His Hope was not to become the new Emperor, to become a senator, governor, or mayor. His Hope was not to get his followers to become entrepreneurs, to make them a political party, or to transform society gradually or quickly.

Paul’s Hope was simply to see the people he pastored enter the Kingdom. That’s it.

Paul wanted to be there for the Rapture, and to witness it just like a father wants to be at his child’s graduation ceremony. His projection for the congregations he pastored was eschatological. It wasn’t this-worldly. It wasn’t for their academic, professional, financial, marital, or even ministerial success. It went beyond all those things, things which only exist in this life. Paul’s projected plans for the Christians he served was for them to finish the race.

Now, Paul knew that if the flock he shepherded were to persevere until the return of Christ, that Paul would also get a reward for such pastoral labor—he would get a literal crown. And the possibility of such a reward spurred him on. But his real "crown" was his people.

The Hope is what made Paul the dedicated and devoted missionary he was. How many missionaries and pastors today would work much more lovingly and earnestly if they were motivated by the same Hope Paul had? How many would treat people the way they should really be treated, as God's most precious commodity? Love would flourish in churches if pastors would renounce worldly ambition and love Christ's sheep as they should.

A Hope You Earn

What does it mean to have the full assurance of hope? The author of Hebrews wanted it for every believer to who he ministered. He wished it upon them.

… we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of Hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:11-12; NASB).

This passage is better understood if we read the NIV translation, which gets the idea of assurance across very well. It shows that we have to work to obtain the Kingdom we’re hoping for. We have to do our part.

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized’ (Hebrews 6:11; NIV).

Be Violent

The concept of assurance is vague for many of us. Are we truly able to be sure of our salvation, or is there room for doubt? The Bible responds "yes" to both questions. We can be sure of our salvation, but we'll have to earn that assurance. Assurance is not for everybody. It’s not for the slothful, lazy, or undisciplined. They don't deserve it. Assurance is not for the people who fold their arms and cross their legs. It’s for the fighters. It’s for people who persevere till the end.

… from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John (Matthew 11:12-13; NKJV).

The kind of diligence required for you to have a full assurance of Hope (Hebrews 6:11) is a diligence so intense that Jesus called it violence. The One Hope of the Kingdom has yet to be fulfilled--that is, the Kingdom has not yet come to Earth. Until it comes and the Hope is fulfilled, we must take it by force. We have to storm it by working hard enough to prove ourselves worthy of the things God has promised us.

And what has God promised us? The Kingdom, the Earth, a never-aging, forever-healthy resurrection body, a divine nature, power, and authority to govern people. He has promised us houses and lands, a meaningful and peaceful existence, joy, and victory over our enemies. These and many other promises will be ours if we exert ourselves--if we strive and struggle. The Arabis word for such a struggle is jihad.

Like a soldier, a true Christian will struggle to obtain glory. He will fight to be counted among ‘those who through faith and patience inherit the promises’ (Hebrews 6:12). Any mediocre believer who settles for less has no right to feel assurance. And if he does feel it, he is delusional. He is not in touch with reality--the Reality of the One Hope.