Real Hope: The Apostles' CreedNäide

Amen

The forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Having a relationship with our heavenly Father requires all of this creed to be true. It’s why we say it – to keep our eyes focused on God's miraculous work through His Son. I think it’s true for all of us at times that we rush the words at the end to complete something we’re doing. But these words are important to our daily lives and incredibly challenging too!

I believe in the forgiveness of sins. I do.

I believe in the resurrection of the body. I do.

I believe in the life everlasting. I do.

Throughout my life, I’ve been swarmed with questions about each of these core convictions of our faith. Forgiveness of sins – does that mean all sins? Resurrection of the body – what about people who are cremated? Life everlasting – woah, where do I even start with understanding eternity in God’s presence?

These things that are completely impossible to us are possible to God. He proves this in Jesus, who lived a perfect life, showing He was able and worthy to be the judge of us all. After three days, He rose from the dead, showing us God’s power! And living forever is the completion of God’s plan. Once every sin is wiped from creation, all broken bodies (whether buried, cremated, or living) will be made new, and we will enjoy the fullness of God’s presence for eternity. This fully expresses God’s great desire to have a perfect relationship with us. This is the hope we have because of Jesus. And so, these final three lines of the Apostles’ Creed are everything! They sum up our hope and display that although many things are not possible for us, all things are possible for God. Amen!

Written by KATIE SMITH

Want more? Check out the Real Hope Conversations Podcast and listen as we discuss and discover the depth of the Apostles’ Creed. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.