The outstanding characteristic of the life of the Christian is looking forward. We are, so Paul writes in Romans 8, saved “in hope”. This hope is not yet seen (v. 24). Now we are still greatly hindered by the sin that clings to all our works, but we know that deliverance is coming and we look forward to it. It is a hope that softens all our sorrows and that causes us to persevere in the struggle. We know that the victory belongs to our Saviour. He delivers us out of our deadly existence. His Spirit is the Spirit of life.