THE ANCHOR OF THE SOUL

Gary McDade

Hope is called “the anchor of the soul” in Hebrews 6:19. Such hope depends upon where the anchor is cast. There are only two places where the anchor can be cast: here in this world within the constraints of time or in the next world which is a boundless eternity. Even though we may be Christians, if our anchor is not cast in heaven it makes our lives here not only miserable but according to the apostle Paul it makes our lives “most miserable.” Consider 1 Corinthians 15:19, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” So, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4)

HOPE, evlpi,zw

“joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.”

Heaven is the goal for which we hope, and it is by hope that we are saved (Romans 8:24).

One hope unifies all believers in Christ, and the New Testament is heaven’s presentation of the “one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4).

Patience and experience yield hope (Romans 5:4).

Earnest expectation of eternal salvation points beyond all doubt and establishes the framework for a joyous and confident Christian life (Hebrews 6:19).

Hebrews 6:18-20

“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”