#233 HOPE, HELP, AND HOLINESS 10-4-26

There are three things every human heart needs: hope for tomorrow, help for today, and holiness for the journey. The beautiful truth of the gospel is that Christ provides all three.

HOPE

Christian hope is not wishful thinking. It is confidence rooted in the promises of God. Peter wrote that God “has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

Our hope is alive because Jesus is alive. Circumstances can change. People can disappoint us. Plans can fall apart. But our hope does not rest upon circumstances. It rests upon Christ. Paul wrote, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

When we cannot see what tomorrow holds, we can still know who holds us.

Jesus is our hope.

HELP

We also need help. Our strength is not enough, our wisdom is inadequate, and our hearts are weary. The Bible does not tell us to pretend that we are strong enough to handle everything alone.

Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

What an invitation!

When you need help, come to Christ.

When you are confused, come to Christ.

When you are hurting, come to Christ.

When temptation is strong, come to Christ.

He does not turn away the struggling heart. He is our faithful High Priest, and He understands our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15).

The Christian life is not a life without weakness. It is a life in which we know where to take our weakness.

HOLINESS

Christ calls us to holiness. Grace is not permission to remain as we were. Grace is God’s invitation to become what He created us to be. “As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15).

Holiness is not about pretending to be better than others. It is about belonging completely to God. Jesus saves us from sin, but He also calls us out of sin. He forgives the past and transforms the present. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Hope looks forward.

Help reaches downward.

Holiness reaches upward.

And Christ stands at the center of all three.

When you are discouraged, remember your hope.

When you are weak, remember your help.

When you are tempted, remember your calling.

You do not have to walk this road alone. Jesus is the hope ahead of you, the help beside you, and the holiness toward which He is leading you.

And wherever Christ leads, grace will be there.

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Lord Jesus, thank You for being our hope when tomorrow is uncertain, our help when today is difficult, and our holiness as You shape our lives. Keep our eyes on You, strengthen our hearts, and help us walk faithfully with You each day. Amen.

Bryan Dewayne Dunaway