Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

In Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul wrote, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
In his letter to the Ephesians, the inspired writer Paul identifies the “one hope.” We should always keep in mind that the Bible sometimes refers to “hope” in a general sense. In general, hope is the expectation of something good in the future. In 1 Corinthians 9:10, Paul gives us an example. There he said, “he that ploweth should plow in hope.” The point is, when a farmer plows in hope, he expects to reap a harvest in the future. However, in Ephesians 4:4, Paul is more specific when he mentions “the one hope of your calling.” We need to know and understand that one hope. There are many passages that identify the “one hope” as eternal life in heaven that Christ will give to His faithful followers upon His return. One example is in Colossians 1:3-5. There, Paul told the Church at Colosse there was hope laid up in heaven for them.
The Bible also reveals those who have the “one hope.” In Ephesians 2:11-12, Paul says that those who are outside of Christ have no hope. However, through Christ it is possible for us to be born again so we can have the “one hope.” In 1 Peter 1:3 we read, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
The Word of God also identifies responsibilities that men have in connection with the “one hope.” We are to rejoice in hope (Romans 12:12). We as faithful Christians must prepare our minds so we can “hope to the end” (1 Peter 1:13). Then we learn in 1 John 3:2-3 that this “one hope” will lead us to be pure.
The Bible also reveals that there are particular benefits that are associated with the “one hope.” One benefit is that those with the “one hope,” have it as “an anchor of the soul.” That anchor of hope can prevent us from drifting away from the Lord (Hebrews 6:17-19). However, the “one hope” must be properly maintained. We also learn that the “one hope” saves us in that it will help us to exercise patience while we wait for eternal life to become a reality (Romans 8:18-25).
The question most pressing is, do you have that one hope? The one hope is only possible to those that believe in the “one Lord,” the “one faith,” and have submitted to the “one baptism” which places us into the “one body.” You, like countless others, must accept God’s plan of oneness as described by Paul. Have you declared your faith in God by accepting the oneness so you can have the “one hope” that is declared in the “one faith?” If you need to know more, please contact us at the Centerview Church of Christ (423-518-1919).
(Tony Hoss is minister at Elizabethton Centerview Church of Christ.)