The final definition of hopelessness is “incapable of redemption or improvement”. Let me speak to your heart a moment: you are of infinite value to your Father. He loves you with a love beyond compare, and He stops at nothing to win your heart. When we are hard-pressed by heartache and disappointment, feelings of worthlessness can begin to take root. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, because we are going to discuss this in a later chapter, but I do want to address it briefly because worthlessness is a by-product of hopelessness.
One important step to regaining hope is to regain your sense of value. A person who believes they are doomed to failure will have nothing to hope for.
One important step to regaining hope is to regain your sense of value. A person who believes they are doomed to failure will have nothing to hope for.
“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin*? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31
If God is so intimately concerned with sparrows that He knows when one dies, how much more must He concern Himself with us? We are the treasure of His creation, the apple of His eye, the love of His life.
“You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and Produce Lasting Fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.” John 15:16
God hand-picked you before the beginning of time. I am not saying that God picks and chooses who will be saved. The Bible states that salvation is a gift open to all when Christ died. What I am saying is that God foreknew who would choose to accept His offer, and He began at that moment to make plans for you. Those plans were not for you to be worthless, useless, and hopeless. Those plans were for you to produce Lasting Fruit that will bring you into intimacy with the Father. God chose you to have a productive spirit and anything else is simply disobedience.
If you have accepted Christ’s offer of salvation, then you are already redeemed. If you have decided to allow Him to teach you, then you are on your way to improvement.
If you have accepted Christ’s offer of salvation, then you are already redeemed. If you have decided to allow Him to teach you, then you are on your way to improvement.
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
