“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” 1 Corinthians 15:19-23 (KJV)
Optimism is simply positive thinking without certainty. It is more wishful in nature and completely distinct from hope. The believer’s hope, however, begins in confident faith and continually looks ahead to the day when divine promises are fulfilled. It is the confident conviction that, despite Adam’s death, Christ’s resurrected life will prevail. We confidently acknowledge that due to Christ’s “firstfruit” the best is yet to come for us.
“Now faith is the substance of our hoping, the evidence of our undertaking, not of our seeing.” Hebrews 11:1 (SYS)
Dear Father, thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you for Christ the first-fruit of resurrection. Thank you for giving us this hope in him, that we may also be made alive. Grant that we may live everyday in this confident assurance. May we give evidence of this confidence. Help us to share this hope with others. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN
Let us praise God for the resurrection and live in confident hope,