Be First

 "...so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory." - Ephesians 1:12 ESV

Ephesians is an astonishing book. Really. If you read it line by line in a good translation it builds in such lofty ways.

What struck me this morning was this little phrase, 'we who were the first to hope'. Then you can go back in the chapter and see the great things that these people found hope in.

"...even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will," - Ephesians 1:4-11 ESV

You could say, 'see this is talking about those first believers' but really it is talking about all believers. In every group there are those who become 'the first to hope'. In every generation it happens again and again. The Gospel goes to places where it is rarely seen and people begin to hope. Children grow up in groups and either make individual decisions to believe or some wander off into the world and do other things.

I feel like a 'first to hope' person. There was a time when all i had was here and now but then the knowledge of Christ dawned on me and i became a believer... a hopeful person.

Maybe you can be the 'first to hope' today in your household. If you wake up before everyone else and actively put you trust in what Christ has done you are numbered as first. You can be the 'first to hope' in a situation and express that hope to the group that is dealing with hardship. The evangelist is really just the person who is 'first to hope' in a conversation. 

Being the last to hope means hours, months or years of hopelessness. Don't do it. Start being first. Start now. Start early.

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