A Purifying Hope

“...we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” — 1 John 3:2-3 NKJV

This passage is oozing with grand themes of hope, glory, and eternal life. Much of the sugar-coated preaching we hear nowadays lacks a sense of eternity. All the focus is on this life. Three keys to success, four ways to be happy, five ways to have a better vacation, or whatever they think you want to hear. While I fully believe in a gospel that transforms every aspect of our lives—including our physical health and financial prosperity—it is very dangerous to lose sight of eternity. Much of what the Bible has to say about the subject of hope is rooted in eternity and eternal life. In this passage, 1 John 3:2-3, we see that the focus of the gospel is so much on eternity that it impacts the way we live in the here and now.

The goal of the Christian should be to set our eyes on eternity to the degree that we purify ourselves in this life in preparation for that life. The concept of eternity is difficult to grasp, especially for those who are so entrenched in the temporary nature of this world. Yet, it is imperative that we as believers do not lose sight of the eternal hope that we have in Christ. Our hope is not a mere wish or desire, but a confident expectation of what is to come. As we fix our eyes on eternity, we see the world and everything in it in a different light.

This purifying hope impacts the way we live in this short life. When we understand the depth of God's love for us and the glory that awaits us, we are moved to live pure, holy and righteous lives. We become more aware of our sin and more eager to repent and turn from it. We begin to live with an eternal perspective, seeking to lay up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Fix your eyes on eternity! Embrace the purifying hope that it brings. Live in the light of God's love and grace, allowing Him to transform us and purify us in preparation for our eternal home. And never lose sight of the hope that we have in Christ, a hope that does not disappoint, both in this life and in the life to come.