Q4. The Christian Hope

[rosegarden]

Q4. (Romans 8:24-25) What are the characteristics of a person who has lost hope? How does this person typically conduct his life? How does this differ from a person who holds an eager expectation of a better future? What is the "Christian hope"? How should it motivate us and affect our lives now?

4. a. At one time I felt hopeless... I was depressed, fearful, nothing to help me or look forward to, suicidal.

,BUT GOD!!!

B. That person lives for today, lets eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die. They live in a "hope so"

attitude. With nothing really worthwhile to hope for.

c & d. We have hope in the promises of God. He is changing us from glory to glory. We are looking forward to a heavenly country whose builder and maker is God. Where there is no sin, sickness or disease. We are looking forward to the 2nd coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is preparing a place for us, a place where we will spend eternity with Him. We rejoice in the hope of the Glory of God. Christ in us, the hope of Glory.

e. We should be motivated to pray, fellowship with God, serve and love Him and by obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

[ljmnkscart]

The characteristics of a person who has lost hope is one who is probably either depressed and has truly given up and could be suicidal or one who is happy because he does not have to struggle with his own nature, but just gives in and conducts his life walking after the flesh and doing those things that pleases the flesh. He is living for the now, what he can get out of this life only, unlike the person who is hoping not only for a better life now but an even better life in the future with God which is the Christian hope. This is the way having the Spirit of God makes a person different. This should make us strive to please God in everything that we do

[Guitar Jim]

Q4. (Romans 8:24-25) What are the characteristics of a person who has lost hope? How does this person typically conduct his life?

Someone without hope would just go about their day to day living with no optimism and no joy in their heart. That person would have no reason to try a bit harder or work a bit longer to achieve anything because they'd truly believe there was no point to it. I can't help but remember the writer of the book of Ecclesiastes when I think of someone with no hope. I may be wrong, but that whole book seemed to me to be the musings of someone whose faith had been utterly destroyed.

How does this differ from a person who holds an eager expectation of a better future?

The person who holds an eager expectation of a better future would have a spring in his/her step for starters. Everything that person does would be done with an enthusiasm and an optimism because of the quiet confidence that their work, whatever it may be, is going to get them somewhere. This is true even of non-Christians.

What is the "Christian hope"?

Our hope is in the future Kingdom of God where we will share with Christ in all that God has prepared for His people.

How should it motivate us and affect our lives now?

We should live as though the Kingdom is about to appear. We should be ready with our bags packed, so to speak, although in reality we won't need anything . . . just our faith in Jesus.

[Barbara A. Lee]

Q4. (Romans 8:24-25) What are the characteristics of a person who has lost hope? How does this person typically conduct his life? How does this differ from a person who holds an eager expectation of a better future? What is the "Christian hope"? How should it motivate us and affect our lives now?

A person who has lost hope is depressed, negative, fearful, angry and without purpose.

He will either be continuously striving at whatever comes along, going from one thing to another, or he will have 'lost heart' and will not bother to try any more. He will feel that the world is against him and that he just has to get along the best he can.

Someone who has hope and expectation of a better future, will press on to overcome all difficulties. He will have a specil inner joy and confidence that there is something better in store for him.

'Christ in us is the hope of glory' and this is Christian Hope.

It should motivate us to become more and more like Christ, and let more and more of our flesh life die.

[royk]

Some characteristics are: hopelessness, lack of joy, negative outlook, and no reason to live. He just exists--no future past the grave, therefore he seeks his happiness each day.

We who know there is not only a future but a hope gives us daily joy, excitement and expectation. Our hope is in Jesus & his soon return!! Each day is one step closer to Jesus & we long to bring as many people as we can along with us to our heavenly home! Praise Him!!

We need to be watching out for those who have lost hope. We can see it in their faces. God puts people like this in our path all the time. Do we notice? Do we ignore? Do we know what to say/do? Its not so easy to let go and let God, but He makes it all a lot easier. We praise His holy name both silently and out loud. We let Him do the work of love, like He did for us on the Cross. So much easier to type these things than to "do it" ALL the time. Let His will be done in us. Praise Jesus name.

[pastor neal]

Q4. (Romans 8:24-25) What are the characteristics of a person who has lost hope? How does this person typically conduct his life? How does this differ from a person who holds an eager expectation of a better future? What is the "Christian hope"? How should it motivate us and affect our lives now?

When an individual loses hope they are filled with negative thoughts and energy. Although there are many I have listed but a few:

. Cynical

. Desperate

. Given-up

. Despondent

These "symptoms" can lead to more serious Spiritual and physical challenges. He will go through life either in a stupor; seeing little good in anything or he sins like the end shall never come. Unlike our hurting brother, those of us eager to see our better future strive to see the best in all; we trust God, we have unshakable faith and we are expensively hopeful; knowing that something bigger and better is coming.

[ross_laoshi]

Q4. (Romans 8:24-25) What are the characteristics of a person who has lost hope? How does this person typically conduct his life? How does this differ from a person who holds an eager expectation of a better future? What is the "Christian hope"? How should it motivate us and affect our lives now?

Some one who has lost hope will lose the joy of living, they won't smile much, they won't feel motivated, they will be sad. This person will have a negative mindset and outlook, they will not be some one that people want to be around.

Our "Christian hope" is our heavenly home and our reward in heaven, we should live with our minds fixed on that and serving our Lord, bringing hope to those around us.

[Janissi]

(Romans 8:24-25) What are the characteristics of a person who has lost hope? Depressed, sad, suicidal, lost, defeated, they don't care about themselves and/or anyone else.

How does this person typically conduct his life? Sometimes they are very careless. They often want to bring others down as well like the old saying goes, "misery loves company." Sometimes they do drugs or drink heavily to numb the pain.

How does this differ from a person who holds an eager expectation of a better future? When one has hope like us (Christians), we know the pain, suffering, and trials of this world are temporary. We have a mansion waiting for us where there will be no more pain, suffering, tears, death, or sorrow. What we suffer on earth is only a blip to the joy we will have in eternity! Hallelujah!

What is the "Christian hope"? That we will be face to face with the Lord. Our hope is a future beyond this earth to an unimaginable one!

How should it motivate us and affect our lives now? It should motivate us to keep running the race set before us. It should help us to stand in the midst of difficulties knowing that we have a Helper who's with us. He'll never leave us or forsake us. It reminds me of the scripture, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the earth." <---This is how I want to conduct my life.

[awylie1949@yahoo.co.uk]

The person who has lost hope is sad, depressed, drifting with out assurance, defeated, their fight has left them.. He spends his life in gloom not knowing joy of God. He differs because he has lost interest and the ability to rise above his depression. The Christian hope is we have Christ and assurance and peace and joy that when we leave this life we will be with Jesus forever. We might be suffering now and sharing with Jesus in that way but we know we will share in His resurrection if we are faithful

[Debbe]

Q4. (Romans 8:24-25) What are the characteristics of a person who has lost hope? How does this person typically conduct his life? How does this differ from a person who holds an eager expectation of a better future? What is the "Christian hope"? How should it motivate us and affect our lives now?

One whom has lost hope has got to feel isolated, experience depression, and feel that he has no purpose.

I rather imagine that he is pessimistic and drifts aimlessly with no or little goals. Those who hold an eager expectation of a better future feel alive and hopeful and optimistic. The Christian hope is waiting in anticipation of Christ returning and restoring the world in His honor and glory. We are motivated to draw closer to God and strive to serve Him for His glory.

[lighthouse2014]

Q4. (Romans 8:24-25) What are the characteristics of a person who has lost hope? How does this person typically conduct his life? How does this differ from a person who holds an eager expectation of a better future? What is the "Christian hope"? How should it motivate us and affect our lives now?

The person who has lost hope in Christ has failed in his faith, lost the hope he should have had in his walk with the Lord. he may also become a false teacher or a cynic to other Christians.

A person who has a strong faith, a hope that in the future, Christ will present His Church to our Heavenly Father. We will live in the new creation, no longer having tears of sorrow, fear or worry, just love for the Lord and rejoicing in His Heavenly Glory.

Today with hope, faith and confidence in Gods word, we will be more than eager to share our hope with those who are non believers!     

[Uncle Dave]

Q4. (Romans 8:24-25) What are the characteristics of a person who has lost hope? How does this person typically conduct his life? How does this differ from a person who holds an eager expectation of a better future? What is the "Christian hope"? How should it motivate us and affect our lives now? 

The characteristics of a person who has lost hope can range all the way to being suicidal. Things like drugs, alcohol, gambling, and slavery to other vices are common for this type of person. Often, it is the result of mental trauma resulting from things that have happened in the past that leave a person living a guilt-ridden existence in which there seems to be no escape. A person in this condition often goes through life in a careless fashion and is as much of a threat to himself as others. It is a grip which Satan has put on many a person, and a grip from which one can be released from upon asking God’s forgiveness for their mistakes and acceptance of Jesus and what He did for us. The Christian hope is that of eternal life, that is, looking forward to it. We need to decide on life and not death if we desire eternal life. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly: John 10:10 …I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 

 

[Lottie]

Q4. (Romans 8:24-25) What are the characteristics of a person who has lost hope? How does this person typically conduct his life? How does this differ from a person who holds an eager expectation of a better future? What is the "Christian hope"? How should it motivate us and affect our lives now?

A person who has lost hope is inconsolable. They are sad and depressed. They do not have an interest in anything. They think that they are better off dead.

He goes about feeing sorry for himself and complaining. He tries to look for other things to make him feel better. 

A person who holds an eager expectation of a better future is different because they know something better is coming. They know this is not the end and that better things are coming. They don't feel sorry for themselves. They are eager and hopeful because they know it is getting closer.

The Christian hope is that one day we will be with Him.

It should cause us to be joyful and full of hope. It should cause us to reach out to others and to want to know Him more and b ready for Him.

[Godswriter]

Q4. (Romans 8:24-25) What are the characteristics of a person who has lost hope? How does this person typically conduct his life? How does this differ from a person who holds an eager expectation of a better future? What is the "Christian hope"? How should it motivate us and affect our lives now?

For the person that has lost their hope; they are usually heartbroken, inconsolable, downtrodden, very depressed. The person with hope and future is smiling and optimistic and also willing to accept life as it comes. Christian hope is heaven and life eternal with Christ. It should motivate us to be willing to bring people to Him.

 

 

[Irmela]

I imagine a person who has lost hope lives without purpose in life. Just keeps going on because he is breathing. Possibly be depressed, frustrated, suicidal, distructive, manipulative and very tiring to be around. 

The opposite would be true of a person with an expectation of a better future. He would be vibrant, full of joy, confident, productive, brimming with life. It would be easy to be around such a person. 

Our hope reaches beyond time. We will be with the LORD forever. We will be set free from the bondage to decay and corruption. 

We should be motivated to live for the Lord even now and not grovel in misery and sin. Also we should be willing to share this hope with others

[Krissi]

Christians who suffer greatly in this life often lose hope that their suffering will end in the earthly realm which is NOT mirrored by a loss of hope in the joy of the heavenly realm. Wanting to die, to go to heaven, to get rid of the painful body or empty and loveless life is not a sin, though it is a loss of hope that one's life will include solace or improvement.

A person who has lost hope in this life increasingly focuses on the next. Knowing that the suffering will end in death can be greatly comforting. S/he sees life as more transitory than the typical Christian. Since life is just a prelude, not the entire symphony, tomorrow will be more beautiful than today. Time passes more quickly when eyes are focused away from this earth.

This is an eager expectation of a better future, but not a better future on earth, as a material being. The better future is in heaven.

--

It is very difficult to give up the idea that God will make our earthly lives less painless, more fulfilling, wealthier and healthier, and devoid of suffering. God may do these things; He may not. It is simply a fact that God as father, as our Abba/daddy sees our suffering and sometimes chooses not to end it.

As our suffering intensifies, we lose hope that He will make this earthly life joy-filled and meaningful. Though some sing in prison, as did Paul, many Christians quietly suffer until the end. That's the mystery of His will. Of His love. His calling. It seems harsh because it is. We don't like to think this way because it brings to the fore all sorts of issues, mostly theological, about evil and the purpose of life. These issues have no resolution.

Hope should not motivate us here and now. It should not affect our lives. The only firm hope we should have is in our futures, after our deaths.