By Brett Crump
Early in February I was asked to become a contributor to this column, “Hope for Living.” Little did I know way back then how much a commodity hope for living would become!
It has been a challenging year so far for us all with all things COVID, racial tensions, political unrest, and increased violence in the streets. Studies and observation reveal that these things have led to widespread increases in stress, fear, loneliness, depression, suicide and substance abuse, all of which point to a lack of hope for living.
Biblical hope is a confident expectation based in the reality of what has taken place and what is promised. It is connected to faith. It is not wishful thinking. “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?” (Romans 8:24). “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
As I often remind our congregation, through faith in Christ our greatest problem ever has been solved, and we have the greatest treasure ever in eternal life. When we trust in Jesus Christ, we have only just begun to enjoy the benefits of eternal life. There is so much more to look forward to — to hope in.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).
This “living hope” is the basis for our “hope for living.” Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Our hope is so tied to the Lord Jesus Christ that the Apostle Paul began one of his inspired letters this way: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope” (1 Timothy 1:1).
Jesus is our hope for living. He is our hope in dying. He is our hope — period. He came, and He is coming again to provide people who hope in Him with abundant, joy-filled, eternal life and peace.
If you have not already done so, repent of the hopeless living as your own ultimate authority and trust in Jesus.
Let those of us who have done so, “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15).
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
Brett Crump is senior pastor of New Palestine Bible Church (newpalestinebiblechurch.com). This weekly column is written by local clergy members.
