Our Christian 'hope' is more than 'maybe' - it is a certainty.
1. The hope' (v1-3). Common meaning of 'hope' is a positive sentiment. The Christian hope has three characteristics.
a. Truth. (v5). This is not religious 'truth', rather it means the obvious and 'normal' truth. Jesus really is Lord, and He really died for sinners.
b. Hearing and understanding (v6). It is not vague and mystical. It is reasonable and understandable and our minds need to be engaged.
c. Stored up (v5) - not cross your fingers and hope - it is a real object. It is in a real person (v27). Starts now, but the full realisation when we see Him face to face. A certain hope changes the way we behave. This hope results in two things:
2. 'Faith'. (v3,4) Christian faith is exclusive faith and trust in Jesus, and only Jesus (v4). God is also a definite concept (v2). We are exclusively attached to one Lord. The Colossians suffered because of their exclusive faith in God. (even called Atheists, because they would not accept other gods of the Roman people).
3. 'Love' (v4) for all the saints. Different to other social clubs, even when we may be members. Like a family we cannot chose our relatives, we don't chose our Christian family. (v2, brothers and sisters, v8). The Spirit binds us together. We are here as family. (2 Tim 4:8) - all will receive the same crown/hope.
