Hope in Christ

Hope is a beautiful word that can bring focus, assurance, peace, and even anticipation. But the use of the word hope can determine certainty and not speculation. When we hope FOR something it leaves room for doubt. When we hope IN something it brings a certain level of security. Think for a moment about what we hope for. We can hope for a raise at work or that we will even have a job at the end of the month. We can hope for a vaccine for a virus, a cure for a disease, the healing of a marriage, the recovery from addiction, or the release from the pain of grief. All of these are things that we hope would happen, and with the power of Christ can happen. There is just not a certainty as to if, when, or how they will happen.

If certainty is what you are looking for, it comes when we hope IN Christ. The hope we have in Christ is based on the promise of God. 1 John 3:1-2 speaks of a promise that brings hope. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” God promises, to those who believe in Christ and have given their life to him, that we are now receptors of God’s love as his children. As children we have the protection, provision, and promise of God’s love. And if that is not enough, he promises that when Christ returns for his bride, the church, we will be like him. The pain, grief, uncertainty of this world will no longer affect us.

How do we live in this hope in Christ? By choosing to purify ourselves in Christ. 1 John 3:3 – “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” The focus of life moves toward living IN Christ and away from living FOR the temporary things of life. That might sound easier said than done because the things of life are what press on us from every side. Our bodies face illness, our jobs can be lost, bills can pile up, relationships can be difficult, and our lives can face a new challenge every day.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 speaks of how our life is fragile and imperfect but what we do have is the life of Christ at work in us. Our hope IN Christ is lived out in how we make every decision, react to each situation, respond to each person, and dwell on each thought. Just remember that those who do not have this hope will not understand how we can live with peace and assurance. They will not understand that our perspective has changed from the “light momentary affliction” to an “eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” (2 Cor 4:17) They will not understand the promise of God for eternal life with him. (1 Thess. 4:13-18 – “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.”)

A believer’s hope is not a wish or a dream, it is a promise. A promise to those who practice the righteousness of God. A promise for those who HOPE IN HIM.

Where are you placing your hope today? Is it IN the promise of Christ or is it FOR something unknown?

How are your decisions, reactions, responses, and your thoughts showing your hope?

How is your life (your jar of clay) displaying the hope of the gospel, the promise of Christ?