How can hope be certainty?
hope
/hop/
Noun
A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
Verb
Want something to happen or be the case: "he's hoping for compensation"; "I hope that the kids are OK".
Synonyms
noun. expectation - expectancy - expectance - trust - promiseverb. trust - expect - anticipate
cer·tain·ty
/'s?rtnte/
Noun
Firm conviction that something is the case.
The quality of being reliably true: "a bewildering lack of certainty in the law".Synonyms
certitude - assurance - sureness - surety - assuredness
It seems that hope cannot be certainty, no matter how good one thinks it sounds. If I "hope" for a free car tomorrow, it is not "certain" that I'll get it. In fact, if one is "certain", "hope" becomes redundant.
Zen your way out of that one.
Additional Details
It's not an "attack", Richard, it's just a question.
THE BATTLE AXE: A Need to Know? (09/04/2013)—(5.) There are experiences of GOD granted among mankind on what seems to be a “need to know” basis. Experiences of seeing Jesus as Risen Lord seem not to be for everyone, everywhere. On the one hand, where one believer has a peculiar anointing, gift or experience of truth, the full body of believers are understood as having that anointing, that gift, and that truth. On the other hand, those who receive special visitations often must also endure vicious opposition, great suffering, persecution, and death: To whom much is given from him, much is required. Apparitions and visitations that are to reinforce faith can also to be regarded as “put downs” for pride, and “extra strength” rebuke to establish a believer in humility. They are not so much answers, rewards and conclusions of spiritual growth as they are beginnings. See Luke 12: 42-48 and 1st Corinthians 12: 18-23, King James Version. (6.) In Christ, preparation for ministry of the gospel may begin in both positive and negative life experiences that seem entirely secular and irrelevant to Christian belief. Included may be the challenges and trials endured in bereavement and loss of family and friends, childbearing and homemaking, combat and military service, manual labor in construction, farming and raising livestock, or marriage, divorce and sexual relationships. The continuous operation of GOD through ones life experiences supplies growth and material that result in the special instances of holy encounter, insight, spiritual benefit, and sacred vision. Often, it is the broad mosaic of life experience that must appear before one embraces church attendance, regular prayer, and daily study of the holy writings. (7.) Believers are wise to examine and review their own experience for life lessons from GOD. However, the choice to make “baggage” of experience from the past is unrighteous and unwise. It is more correct to acknowledge GOD as cause and source, and not to attribute all to personal failure, sin and wretchedness. Again, see Psalms 119: 1-17, John 9: 1-3, Luke 9: 51-62 and Ephesians 2: 1-9, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God. Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God. Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel. For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God. (Jeremiah 3: 21-25, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Our Present Comfort? (06/28/2013); Come As You Are (06/29/2013); The Ascension of Christ? (12/19/2012); GOD in Schools? (12/20/2012)
Here are a few points you may find helpful that are commonly shared among those anchored in Christian belief:
(1.) Certain hope cannot be based upon ideas that are generated from animal instinct, fantasy, imagination, or lies. Thus, hope may not be carnal, material, social and temporal in its nature. Believers are correct to hope only for the completion and fulfillment of ongoing divine operations, promises recorded in the holy writings, and the events described as sacred prophecy. Hope is always certain when grounded in truth that proceeds from GOD.
(2.) To hope is to have expectation, and to quietly wait for things anticipated. Thus, to hope is to “tarry”, and to display a content of being that derives from the imparted, indwelling spirit of GOD. Included are aspects of divinity obtained through baptism and being “born again” such as faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, love, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Saying this another way: A believer must only hope for what they are commanded and instructed to expect. All else would be “vain” hope, hope void of divine substance, that even when fulfilled cannot provide lasting contentment.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood. For example, (3.) hope operates as persistence and spiritual tenacity that provide strength against forces and influences promoting arbitrary change, despair, giving up, letting go, and quitting. In this sense, the believer is like the professional gambler who never depends upon chance, avoids the “sucker bet,” and only bets “the sure thing.” The hope of believers in Jesus Christ, go beyond healing, daily nourishment or shelter, and cleansing from sin. The Christian hopes for increasing measures of the ongoing revelation of GOD, and the intimate place as sons and daughters within the celestial presence.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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