hope for forgiveness

“If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” (Psalm 130:3–4, NIV)

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5–6, NIV)

According to psalm 130:3-4 what is troubling the writer? He outlines two possible outcomes. One outcome is hopeless and the other is full of hope. What are those two outcomes?

While we wish the second, hopeful, outcome is true, how can we know for sure? Consider the following verses in your answer: Exodus 34:5-7, Isaiah 1:18, Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 5:19, and Colossians 1:14. There are many more verses, and you may wish to consider those as well.

What is our response to this second, hopeful, outcome?

What does the Romans passage say that God gives to us? How does that relate to the hope we talked about yesterday?

What does it mean to have “one mind and one voice”? With whom are we to have that oneness with? Does that mean we all have to think and act and speak alike (see Romans 15:1 as you think about that answer)? What will be the result of that?

Why do we need hope in our lives?  In whom are we to hope?  Do you remember when you first had hope in God?  How did you feel and how did you act in those days? Have your feelings and/or actions change? What caused the change? Is that good or bad?