Our Only Hope in Life and Death
From the Pastor’s Desk by Carl Conrad
The first question of the New City Catechism asks:
What is our only hope in life and death?
The answer may seem simple, but it is life changing and brings us hope!
That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.
I love this answer! However, before we consider why this is the first question of the New City Catechism, it is worth asking: What exactly is a catechism?
What Is a Catechism?
A catechism is a summary of Christian beliefs, usually written as a series of questions and answers. The purpose is to help Christians learn, understand, and remember the truths of the faith.
The New City Catechism contains 52 questions and answers, one for each week of the year.
These questions walk us through the basic teachings of Christianity and help us think carefully about what we believe and why we believe it
But why begin with this question?
“What is our only hope in life and death?”
Because the answer governs our entire lives.
We Are Christ’s
The answer reminds us that we are not our own.
Everything we have ultimately comes from God.
Our existence belongs to Him.
Our salvation belongs to Him.
Our life belongs to Him.
And even our death belongs to Him.
We belong, body and soul, in life and death, to God.
That is why Christians have hope.
Our hope isn't found in our circumstances. It isn't found in our ability to control what happens tomorrow. It isn't even found in ourselves.
Our hope is found in the fact that we belong to Christ.
Christ Our Hope In Life And Death is one of my songs written by songwriters, Keith and Kristyn Getty. The song asks:
What is our Confidence? That our souls to Him Belong
What can calm us? The fact that God is good
Where is His grace and goodness known? In Jesus’ blood.
What holds our faith when fears arise? The Rock (remember the Psalm 11 sermon?) Christ, our Rock and salvation.
All of our life! Is under the control of Jesus.
“Whether We Live or Die”
Paul writes in Romans 14:7–8:
For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Notice how comprehensive that is.
If we live, we live for the Lord.
If we die, we die for the Lord.
There is no part of our existence that falls outside of the rule of Christ.
Our entire life belongs to Him.
Let that be your hope this week, and throughout all of your life. The fact that no matter what happens, you belong to God and to your Savior, Jesus Christ.
Christ our Hope in Life and Death - Keith & Kristyn Getty (Click Here)
What is our hope in life and death?
Christ alone, Christ alone
What is our only confidence?
That our souls to Him belong
Who holds our days within His hand?
What comes, apart from His command
And what will keep us to the end?
The love of Christ in which we stand
Oh, sing hallelujah
Our hope springs eternal
Oh, sing hallelujah
Now and ever we confess
Christ, our hope in life and death
What truth can calm the troubled soul?
God is good, God is good
Where is His grace and goodness known?
In our great Redeemer's blood
Who holds our faith when fears arise?
Who stands above the stormy trial?
Who sends the waves that bring us nigh
Unto the shore? The rock of Christ
Unto the grave, what will we sing?
"Christ, He lives, Christ, He lives!"
And what reward will Heaven bring?
Everlasting life with Him
There we will rise to meet the Lord
Then sin and death will be destroyed
And we will feast in endless joy
When Christ is ours forevermore.