Have you ever heard anyone refer to a situation as “hopeless?”  This is a common term heard in the world and people use it often.  But with God, nothing is hopeless and we can trust Him to bring us through anything.

-A recent example was a football game between the Montana Grizzlies and the Central Washington Wildcats. (9/27/2008)

Usually, the Griz start out by scoring a few touchdowns in the first half, and follow that by winning the game by a landslide in the second half.  The first 3 games of the season were much like that.  You just had the feeling they were going to win.  This game was different.  The wildcats were very aggressive and started the game by scoring a touchdown & a field goal right away making the game 7-0 wildcats.

The Griz scored, tying the game, and then the wildcats answered making the game 14-7 wildcats.  Then they scored again making it 21-7 wildcats.  Down by 2 touchdowns, the situation appeared “hopeless”

The score was 24-21 at the half, the Grizzlies still losing and giving up 5 turnovers throughout the game.

The 3^rd and 4^th quarters were much of the same until it came down to the 4^th quarter with 2:47 left….the teams were tied at 35 points each.

The Grizzlies drove down the field until they were 42 yards away from their own goal line with seconds left on the clock.  It was now up to the kicker, Brody McKnight to make a 42 yard field goal or the game would go into overtime.

With seconds left, Brody kicked the ball and made the field goal, and preventing an overtime situation.  He came through with 1 second left and won the game.

Just like this football game, God is never late.  You may have to play all 4 quarters, but God will bring deliverance even if it is with “seconds left on the clock” and His Word promises us many great things.

We have certain legal rights that we are assigned by God.  They are ours, but we need to know they exist, and claim them.

All of these promises we will cover are yours…..and you should never accept when the adversary tries to cheat you out of them.

1. Eternal Life
   
   At the moment we are born again we gain eternal life. We have victory over death.Titus 1:2 – In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

   God promised his children eternal life.  Where God promises, he will fulfill.
    

2. New Body
   
   At the time of the return of Christ we will receive new bodies.
   
   1 John 3:2 – Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
    
3. Freedom from Wrath
   

   Romans 5:9 – Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

   After the return of Christ, Satan will be destroyed and there will be no more death, sickness, or sadness.  We will be spared from the wrath and destruction of the enemy. (Revelation 20:14-15)

4. Rewards
   

   Philippians 3:14 – I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

   In the grace administration in which we live, we aren’t punished for our sins unlike in the Old Testament times.  Instead we ask God to forgive them and we are cleansed from sin.  In addition to that, our stand for God will earn rewards both now and in the future. (Heb 11:6)

5. Crowns
   
   II Timothy 4:8 – Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

   James 1:12 – Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

   I Peter 5:4 – And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

   God will crown us with rewards for our faithfulness and love.  The Crown of Righteousness, the Crown of life, and the Crown of Glory are among these noted in the Bible.

   I Corinthians 9:25 – And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

No Situation is ever hopeless. God promises to reward us for believing His Word and acting accordingly.  He has promised us Crowns (rewards) as well as the return of Jesus Christ and our absolute eternal life.

The adversary would like to make things appear hopeless at times, but we know better.

These are 5 legal rights that are ours when we were born again:

1. Eternal Life
2. New Body
3. Freedom from Wrath
4. Rewards
5. Crowns

This life we live is temporary, and so are its rewards.

But God promises salvation to anyone who believes His Word.  We have the great hope of Christ’s return as we enjoy our legal rights for eternity!

God Bless You!

From an October 2008 Teaching
All scriptures KJV unless noted otherwise
Images Creative Commons