A Better Hope

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. - Hebrews 7:19

As I read that verse this morning, I had to stop and think about it for a minute. I admit, it was the poetic aspect of the verse that first caught my attention, but as I re-read the verse, the full meaning sunk in. I allowed myself to sit and think for several moments about the "bringing of a better hope." What hope is that? Jesus Christ.

We live in a day and age when people are turning in all different directions just trying to find some source of hope. It can't be found in our daily newspaper or the six o'clock report. It can't be found in our jobs or bank accounts (that's even if you have a job or bank account). It can't be found on Oprah or Dr. Phil. And to the great surprise of many, it can't be found in "religion."

I read an account this morning of a woman who had lived a horrible life of sin. One night, she was invited to visit a church with a friend. At the close of that service, she was called down to the altar where men of the church prayed over her. She said that a warm feeling crept over her and that, even though she didn't know what it meant to be saved, she was certain she'd received the gift of salvation that day. According to her account, salvation is just a warm, fuzzy feeling instead of a conscious decision to make Jesus the Lord of her life.

Day after day, I see accounts of people trusting in things for hope and salvation. Jobs. Finances. Friends. Family. The church. Their good works. Yet still, these people have an empty place in their lives because they have failed to realize that the only thing that can make us perfect (complete) is Jesus Christ. Without Him, there is no hope.

Let's share the news today of that better hope!