hope

Hope, The Neglected Triplet

by J. W. Jepson

The Author hereby grants permission to reproduce the text of this article, without changes or alterations, as a ministry, but not for commercial or non-ministry purposes.

-------

(First published in The Pentecostal Evangel, January 22, 1989)

* * * * *

Faith and love are powerful virtues, basic qualities of the Christian life. First Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV) speaks of "faith, hope, love, these three." Paul wrote: "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope" (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

Faith and love challenge and move people. Volumes have been written about them, and ministers frequently expound on them from the pulpit and in the classroom.

But what about the third member of the big three--hope? Have you read anything or heard any sermons lately on hope? It too is an essential dynamic in the life of the believer, and the Bible contains a full development of this mighty truth. Yet for some reason we tend to neglect her. We do not usually see her standing in her proper place along with her two sisters.

Perhaps the major reason is the deterioration of the word hope in the English language. In modern usage hope carries a connotation of uncertainty. When we say, "I hope so," we mean we are not sure. But that idea is the opposite of the meaning of the word in the Bible. The biblical doctrine of hope is this: Ultimate triumph is certain in Christ, and hope is the anticipation of that certainty. It is a certainty in itself and therefore in us.

Hope is future; faith is present. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for" (Hebrews 11:1). Hope is knowing where we are going; faith is what keeps us going; love is the path that leads us there. All three work together. Each needs the other two. And love leads the way, bearing, believing, hoping, enduring all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Hope is keeping the ultimate victory in view. It would be like viewing the film of a game in advance of the game itself, seeing yourself playing with all your heart, and winning. You would go into that game charged up to give it your best because you know you are sure to win.

The big difference, of course, is that the believer's hope is not based on self-effort or on circumstances. These can be disappointing. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick," says Proverbs 13:12 (NKJV). As Christians our hope rests in God alone. "And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee" (Psalm 39:7).

We have been begotten to this living hope "by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3,21).

This hope is not limited or voided by circumstances. Abraham "against hope believed in hope" (Romans 4:18).

This hope is detailed for us in the Scriptures. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4).

It is by the grace of God. He has "given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace" (2 Thessalonians 2:16).

Now just what is this hope? What is included in its broad embrace? First, salvation. We are admonished in 1 Thessalonians 5:8 to put on "for a helmet, the hope of salvation." This is the certainty that in Christ we shall stand righteous before Him in that day. "But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope" (Galatians 5:5, NIV).

Our hope includes the return of Christ and the resurrection of our bodies. It is true that "if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable" (1 Corinthians 15:19); nevertheless, we are "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).

In Romans 8:18-25 we read that this hope includes the redemption of the whole creation from the curse. Colin Brown said that hope "feels solidarity with the whole creation." Although hope is invisible, we are saved by (or in) it, and with perseverance we eagerly wait for it (vv. 24,25).

Ours is the hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2; 3:7). We rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2). This hope "maketh not ashamed" (v.5)--that is, it does not disappoint. The great mystery of God is "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:26,27). Yes, indeed, "Christ, which is our hope" (1 Timothy 1:1).

Because our hope in Christ is steadfast, we have an unshaken hope regarding the Church. Paul expressed this in Collossians 1:3-5. He thanked God because of "the hope which is laid up for you in heaven." He assured the Corinthian church, a church that was experiencing internal problems, "Our hope of you is steadfast" (2 Corinthians 1:7). And to the Thessalonian believers he declared triumphantly, "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" (1 Thessalonians 2:19). Yes, in spite of everything the Church is going to triumph. Hallelujah!

With this glorious hope dwelling in us, how should we live in this present world?

The believer's hope produces patient, steadfast, disciplined, confident living. This is not idle living, however. Rather, the glorious certainties of the Christian hope motivate us to the utmost diligence. They set us in motion, as we read in Hebrews 6:11-20.

Our hope gives us boldness in witnessing. Paul declared, "Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech" (2 Corinthians 3:12). And we are admonished in 1 Peter 3:15 to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you."

A central focus of our hope is the assurance that we shall be conformed to the image of Christ. "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1 John 3:3).

Hope is an anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19). Hope keeps us on a steady course. Therefore we must never allow ourselves to be "moved away from the hope of the gospel" (Collossians 1:23). Because we are His "house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast" (Hebrews 3:6, NIV), "let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23, NIV).

The Christian hope dwells deeply in the heart of the individual believer. Yet it is not a private, isolated hope that a person creates just for himself or herself. Far from it. It is a common hope, and each believer in Christ in united with all other believers in its certainties. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling" (Ephesians 4:4). No wonder Paul prayed that God would grant to the Church "the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling" (Ephesians 1:17,18).

God wants to fill us "with all joy and peace in believing," so that we shall "abound in hope" in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). Therefore we are to be "rejoicing in hope" (Romans 12:12).

We are not to sorrow, as the rest do who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). At one time we too "were without Christ...having no hope, and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12).

No hope. These are words of total despair. Yet that is exactly where people are who are without Christ. This secular world has no hope. It says that the individual and even the cosmos itself are headed for ultimate extinction. Deprived of hope, mankind is dehumanized. Some try to escape into work, pleasure, drugs. Some try to find meaning in relationships. Some choose suicide. Tragically a growing number are attempting to find hope in the mirage of New Age mysticism. But, friend, the stark reality is that if you are without Jesus Christ, you are without hope.

But here is the good news: If you will turn to God with all your heart and receive Jesus Christ by faith as your personal Savior, you will have a hope that will not disappoint you. The certainties of the gospel will be yours. Your sins will be forgiven. You will have peace with God and with yourself. You will know who you are, why you are, and where you are going. This is eternal life, and it is yours right now as a free gift as you come to Jesus Christ.

* * * * *

[to Treasury of Faith index]

[to Welcome page]