Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. Titus 1:1-2 HCSB
I have been playing golf for 52 years and have never had the privilege to boast of a hole-in-one. I have come close a few times and have hit the ball in the hole from out in the fairway but never accomplished this much desired feat. My father made two in his lifetime and and my mother has made one. Some of my playing partners have also made holes-in-one. For me, making the elusive hole-in-one has become a life-long hope and challenge.
When Paul used the word “hope” in this verse he meant a lot more than a wish or a desire. Rather, he meant assurance and certainty of God’s promise of eternal life. Some people talk of the hope of one day seeing their loved ones in heaven. If someone admits he is a sinner, believes that Jesus is the Son of God who died for his sins and rose from the dead, and confesses Jesus as Lord of his life, he can be assured that God has forgiven his sins and given him eternal life.
Challenge: As a believer, you can have more than hope. God cannot lie and His Word says that whoever believes and confesses Jesus as Lord will be saved. Praise God that you have more than a hope; you have assurance of eternal life.