Christianity and Hope

You might be familiar with this Afghan proverb: "Where there is life, there is hope." This sentence holds much truth. But the opposite is also true. In some parts of our country, it is also said: "Hope brings life."

Despair is one of the saddest situations in a person's life, and millions of people in our country, Afghanistan, and other parts of the world, are despairing. But thankfully, you and I should not despair.

Regarding this, Paul, the Apostle of Jesus Christ, says in 1 Corinthians 13:13: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." In this verse, the Apostle Paul introduces us to three great and enduring realities of the Christian faith. In our lives, we may encounter numerous events that temporarily impact us and then fade away. Yet, the enduring truths of faith, hope, and love will perpetually remain.

Disciples of Christ are often taught extensively about faith and love, yet the topic of hope receives comparatively less attention. However, hope serves as a vital cornerstone for sustaining both faith and love. Without hope, our faith may start to falter, and our capacity for love can begin to wane. Hence, hope is not merely a selectable instrument or a convenience that we can adopt or ignore at will; it is an indispensable component of a Christian's fulfilled existence. Echoing the proverb I mentioned earlier, "Where there is hope, there is life" or "Hope breeds life," I believe deeply in its veracity. Conversely, the lack of hope equates to the absence of life. Despair represents one of the most profound sorrows one can endure.

To grasp hope more fully, let us look at 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4. Here, Apostle Paul depicts God’s followers, specifically the Christians of Thessalonica, as living joyfully in their faith, characterized by faith, hope, and love. Paul acknowledges these three essential virtues, expressing gratitude towards God: "We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers."

The steadfastness of the Thessalonian Christians evidently persuaded Paul of their divine selection. He identified three eternal attributes in them: faith, hope, and love. In his commendation, Paul employs precise terminology to delineate the features of these principles, discussing the effort of faith, the toil of love, and the resilience of hope. Importantly, faith is validated by deeds; inactive faith is essentially lifeless.

The Apostle Paul says in Galatians 5:6: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."

Our deeds reflect our belief. Faith devoid of action is dead. The Apostle Paul praises the Thessalonians for their affection and encourages them to enhance it. It's evident that genuine affection is not merely verbal but demands tangible action and generosity; it involves getting hands dirty and undertaking specific tasks. Genuine love necessitates exertion and activity. Love is not a passive sentiment; rather, it's an energizing power that propels individuals to make sacrifices and labor for others.

Paul commends the Thessalonian Christians, stating, "Your endurance, fueled by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, is commendable." Thus, we observe that hope fosters resilience and determination, leading to patience. Without these attributes of endurance and steadfastness that hope instills, we risk forfeiting the advantages of the initial virtues of faith, and love.

The question arises: how can we attain this essential and tangible sort of hope? The response lies in the fact that hope emerges directly from experiencing spiritual rebirth, a work by the Holy Spirit and grounded in faith in Jesus Christ. Hope is born through a steadfast belief in the death, burial, and resurrection.

The Apostle Peter affirms this truth in his first letter, exclaiming, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3). This statement, "Born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," instructs us that through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we undergo a spiritual rebirth empowered by God, entering the world anew with a vibrant hope. Our hope is derived from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The foundation of genuine and lasting hope lies in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without it, life would lack meaning and be hopeless. It is through the resurrection of Jesus Christ that we receive new life and a living hope. It's crucial to understand that this hope must persist until our salvation is fulfilled.

Another fundamental truth in this letter becomes apparent when we examine a verse later in the same chapter, specifically verse 13: "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming." In essence, Peter is conveying that the process of sanctification remains ongoing. This implies that its full realization awaits the revelation of Jesus Christ, his return. Consequently, it is incumbent upon us to maintain unwavering hope for that future event. Essentially, the primary focus of all Christian hope is the imminent return and revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we navigate through life, it is imperative that we heed Peter's directive, anchoring our hope entirely on the grace and blessings awaiting us in glory through the return of Jesus Christ.

In Hebrews 3:6, the author emphasizes another crucial facet of hope: "But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope that we boast in."

Once more, it's essential to recognize that this hope requires steadfastness until its fulfillment. We must persevere in hope until it is realized. This is precisely why the author of Hebrews provides the counsel mentioned above. To belong to God's family, we must cling unwaveringly to the assurance and courage of our hope until the very end.

The hope we are called to embrace is not passive or inward-looking. Instead, it is robust, unwavering, and brimming with assurance. It's a hope that boldly proclaims, not in its own strength, but in the Lord.