We are saved so that we can personally know, understand, appreciate, and fellowship with the Father and with the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. John 17:3 with I John 1:3-4). The primary reason the Father has saved us was to bring us into intimacy with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. Intimacy with the God-Head will result in our worshipping God in Spirit and in truth (cf. John 4:23-24 with Heb. 11:6 & Ps. 29:2).

The context of this passage demonstrates that after we are saved we must study and learn Bible doctrine so that we will not be overpowered by the attractiveness of things within the temporal world system. We must be filled with the Spirit if we are to have the self-discipline to control the lust trends of our natures of corruption (cf. Gal. 5:22-23). Our old sin natures seek to entice us to seek out the attractive things we see in the temporal world system (cf. I John 2:15-17). The temporal world and all that is in it will be destroyed one day.

The world system is under the domination of Satan (cf. I John 5:19). Christ has called us to be salt (cf. Matt. 5:13a) and light in the Devil’s world (cf. Matt. 5:14). As light, we are to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost and teach Bible doctrine to believers (cf. Acts 1:8 with I Pet. 3:14-15). 

“For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:29-32

The “blessed hope” is a belief in the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to claim His bride. It is a hope of love, in which as believers we have confidence that our Bridegroom will come for us. Loving Christ means wanting to be with Him.

Do you believe that second coming of Christ is drawing near?

Do you want Christ to come in your lifetime?

Is there anything in this world of more value to you than your personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ?

He is the Bridegroom and each one of us has a portion in His bride, so we should be daily longing to be with Him (cf. SS 1:2-3a with vs. 7; 2:16-17)! We need to be daily praying for His coming (cf. Rev. 22:20b)! We need to be daily looking for His coming (cf. Titus 2:13)! We need to be daily listening for the announcement of His coming (cf. I Thess. 4:16).