SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1301
“A Better Hope”

For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. – Hebrews 7:18-19

I grew up in a legalistic church tradition. For 30 years my relationship with God was based upon my ability to follow the rules of law and consequently, I went to confession often. I continually sought absolution for the same habitual sins and my punishment, my penance as it were, was to say a specific quantity and type of rote prayers. I was indeed a wretched man.

For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! … – Romans 7:22-25

Hope in legalistic works is no hope at all.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. – Romans 3:23, 20

The Law set the standard of performance but did nothing to equip us to live up to that standard. It provided the diagnosis, not the cure. The Law shows us how inadequate we are – how hopeless our situation is. It points us to a better hope – in Jesus.

Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. – Galatians 2:16

Through the Truth of God’s Word, I came to realize that I did not love God as much as I selfishly feared eternity in Hell. Thanks be to God for His grace and love through Jesus!

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. – 1 John 4:18

A Better Covenant
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

God has always loved us – even when we are unlovable, steeped in sin and rebellion. Through faith in Jesus, we are cloaked in His righteousness and our sins are forgiven. Through Jesus we have the free gift of salvation. We cannot work to earn it. It is ours by the grace of God. Jesus is the better covenant.

But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. – Hebrews 8:6

A Living Hope
By His death on the cross, Jesus bore the punishment for our sins, once and for all. By His resurrection from the dead Jesus became our living hope, our guarantee that through Him we have eternal life. He is alive and our living hope!

This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. – Hebrews 7:22

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead – 1 Peter 1:3

But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them; For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. – Hebrews 7:24-25; 4:15

May you be free from a legalistic, performance-based fear relationship with God. May your relationship with Him be based upon grace and love through Jesus, our better, living hope.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. – Romans 15:13