Words by Chad Hayes | Image by Ryan McGill
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he 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 (ESV)
Hope is a word we often use in conversation, but what does it really mean?
“I hope it doesn’t rain.” “I hope my team wins.” “I hope I make the sale.” “I hope you have a good day.”
Today, we typically use the word as a wish for something with an uncertain outcome. Merriam-Webster defines the word “hope” in two ways. The first reflects our common usage: “to want something to happen or be true.”
Conversely, the scriptural depiction of hope represents a confident expectation of something rather than uncertainty. Pastor and writer John Piper states, “Biblical hope not only desires something good for the future—it expects it to happen.”
The second definition by Merriam-Webster echoes this biblical use of hope: “to expect with confidence.”
King David expresses hope in God multiple times in the Psalms. “For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.” – Psalm 71:5 (ESV)
Peter begins his first letter to believers by praising God for the hope he has by salvation through Jesus Christ.
What kind of hope, you ask? It is a living hope!
Peter writes his letter to encourage believers facing persecution. He describes this living hope as an eternal inheritance that will never spoil, decay, or fade. Therefore, we can live in hope every day—even in the difficult ones—because of our promised future in heaven as God’s redeemed children. The Apostle Paul writes: “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” – Romans 8:24-25 (NIV) All types of earthly inheritance: riches, homes, fame, possessions, power, and success will decay or pass to someone else, but our salvation through the resurrection of Jesus Christ will last forever.
Peter further explains how to face the difficulties of daily life with living hope. In verse five above (1 Peter 1:5), he says our inheritance is kept by faith. Hope and faith go hand in hand. We will not have hope in God for the future if we do not have faith in Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. According to Merriam-Webster the main synonym of hope is “trust.” Living in hope demonstrates that we trust God, His Word, and His promises.
We must pause, though, and ask ourselves, “Do we speak, act, and live like we have this living hope? Do our words, social media posts, attitudes, and actions communicate living hope in Christ, or negativity and hopelessness?”
Going back to Peter’s first letter, he tells us to be prepared to give an answer for the hope we have. “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” – 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) I encourage you to prayerfully evaluate your thoughts, words, posts, and actions for their level of hopefulness that glorifies God and points others to Christ.
According to Paul, hope in Christ even affects how we grieve the death of loved ones. “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” -1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV) According to this verse, we still grieve when family and friends die, but it is not a hopeless grief if they knew Jesus Christ. We will miss them and hurt because of their absence, but we can be encouraged by the living hope of eternal life in heaven with God.
Phil Wickham says it well in his song, “Living Hope”:
Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free.
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me.
You have broken every chain.
There’s salvation in your name,
Jesus Christ, my living hope.
Endeavor each day to demonstrate the living hope we have in Jesus Christ. If you face times of hopelessness, turn to God, His Word, and His saving work. Reach out to a Christian family member, friend, minister, coworker, or myself for encouragement and support. You are not alone. God loves you.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” – Romans 15:13 (ESV)
By His grace, Chad. WL
