Q1: What is our only hope in life and death?
A: Our only hope in life and death is we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ. (Crossway 2017)
Scripture Reference
Romans 14:7–8 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. (ESV)
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The Vertical Truth in Faith – What does this truth mean in my relationship with God?
Take comfort in the security of knowing we are in the everlasting care of our Lord Christ Jesus in life and death.
- Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
- Romans 8:34-35 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
- Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)
- Lamentations 3:24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” (ESV)
The Horizontal Truth in Love – What does this truth mean in my relationship with humanity?
As I live out my faith, I will strive to help others see, hear, and understand the hope and confidence I have in Christ.
- 1Peter 3:13-17 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. (ESV)
Practical Truth in Action – How can I put this truth into action?
Join fellow Disciples of Christ during times of difficulty with prayer and biblical encouragement.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (ESV)