(This is a continued blog from the previous one. Please read Part 1 before this.)
I’ve placed my hope in many different things throughout my life. I’ve placed my hope in making my parents happy. I’ve placed it in approval from friends. I’ve placed it in alcohol. I’ve placed it in my grades. I’ve placed it in pornography and masturbation. I’ve placed it in money. I know what it’s like to hope in the things of this world. I know what it’s like to find satisfaction in them. And the scary part is…those things do satisfy– at least for a while.
Some of those things aren’t bad in and of themselves. Getting good grades is not a bad thing. Making money and buying things to enjoy is not bad or wrong. Trying to please your parents is not wrong. Drinking alcohol is not wrong (as long as you’re not getting drunk). Satisfying your sexual desires under the covenant of marriage is not wrong (I repeat, under the covenant of marriage). They become wrong when that is what you place your hope in. Because the satisfaction they provide is fleeting and your hope will fail.
There’s nothing of eternal value in those things. In the end, what’s it going to matter if you got straight A’s, made a load of cash, or were liked by everyone? At the end of the day, we are all going to die and anything of this world that we placed our hope in will die as well. That hope will end without bringing the eternal fulfillment that we desire. As Matthew writes, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Matthew 16:26). Only the hope of Jesus will bring that eternal satisfaction.
I believe that there is a higher being, God, who pre-existed creation and that He spoke the universe into being. I just can’t imagine something as vast and creative and organized as the earth and universe are, coming from anything other than a God who thought, planned, and created it. I believe that we are all fallen people who have sinned and brought evil into the world and as a result can offer no hope to others or ourselves. Just look at all the wars that have been fought, the corrupt governments around the world, the children being kidnapped and trained into soldiers, or the women being raped and sex-trafficked around the world (I could go on, but I’ll stop). This world is fallen: corrupted by sinful human beings. And because of it’s fallen nature, any hope placed in it will fail.
But I believe there is hope found in Jesus Christ. I believe that he was who he said he was and that his teachings were true. He’s not just some “good teacher” or “good person”. If you look at his teachings, you’ll see him challenge rulers and governments, tell people they’re sinful, say that he is God in the flesh, say that he is the only way to Heaven, say that he pre-existed creation, etc. He’s not a “good teacher.” He’s not just one God among many gods. He says, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) As C.S. Lewis writes, “Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or God Himself.” And with all the prophecies that Jesus fulfilled and the validity of the Scriptures and seeing him reveal himself to me even 2000 years later, I believe in Jesus Christ.
Yes, there is the element of faith that goes into it. You do have to, at the end of the day, choose to believe despite not fully knowing. And there’s risk that comes with that…just like anything else we choose to place hope and faith in. As Paul writes…
“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”
1 Corinthians 15:19
There’s risk in trusting in Jesus. If his hope proves false, then we should be the most pitied because of the unfulfilled expectation that not only impacted our view of eternity, but also our present life. But there is evidence for the Christian hope! (As I briefly mentioned before) It’s not just some misplaced faith/hope. And by the faith that God is continuing to grow in me, I’ve come to believe in the hope of Christ as truth! I believe he came down to earth and died on the cross for the sins of the world and that he rose again and ascended into Heaven and that those who believe in him will not perish, but have eternal life with him! (John 3:16) I believe in the hope of Christ! And those times when I grow weak and forget about who Jesus is and what he’s done for me, the Spirit helps me and reminds me of how God works all things for the good of those who love him and how nothing can separate me from His love. (Romans 8)
And the best thing about the hope of Christ is that it ends!! One day Christ will return and there will be a new Heaven and a new earth and the dwelling of God will be with His people. He will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away. There will be no sun because the glory of the Lord will be the light. The river of life will flow from the throne of God and of the Lamb and through the city with the trees of life standing on each side. And we will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 21,22) There will be no more need for hope because we will see its fulfillment. As Paul writes…
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13
Now why is love the greatest? Because it’s the only thing that will last. When Heaven comes there will be no more need for faith because what we haven’t seen will be brought into view and there will be no more need for hope because we will have seen its fulfillment because hope that is seen is no hope at all. (Romans 8:24) All that will be left in Heaven is love. How awesome and glorious that day will be!!
This is what I’ve been thinking about this past week or so in Ukraine. It’s something I’m very passionate about (as you can tell by this word vomit of a blog). I pray that the hope of Christ will continue to spread and find its way into your heart. Thanks for reading and God bless.
