What Is a Christian’s Hope?
Hope, when defined generally as an optimistic desire or wish for something to happen, is shared in some form among all people.
Biblically, however, hope is definite, based on the certainties God promises in His Word. A Christian’s hope carries trust and confidence that these promises will come true.
For example, when unbelievers are asked, “Will you go to heaven when you die?” they often reply, “I hope so!” This answer is based only on a wish or desire because these people do not know biblical truth about salvation and heaven, nor do they consider God’s will. Thus, their hope is uncertain; vague; and, at best, an optimistic feeling.
On the other hand, a believer’s hope rests on God’s Word and His unchanging guarantees to Christians. Here are a few major facts that believers can cherish:
1. All who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior will spend eternity in heaven (Jn. 3:16–17).
2. God’s Word answers many of life’s most pressing questions (2 Tim. 3:16–17).
3. A Christian’s hope is built on God, who cannot lie (Num. 23:19; 1 Sam. 15:29; Ps. 89:35; Ti. 1:2; Heb. 6:18).
4. Biblical hope does not leave believers drifting through life with vague optimism. Instead, they are assured God is with them in and through life’s major decisions (Isa. 41:10).
5. A Christian’s hope in God is “an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Heb. 6:19), providing security.
6. Believers can go directly to Christ in prayer, trusting that God will faithfully answer their requests (10:23).
7. When life seems hopeless, a Christian can turn to many examples of people in Scripture who faced great trials and whose faith God renewed because of their hope in Him (1 Sam. 1:1–11; Heb. 11:1—12:1).
8. People can continue to hope when there is no evidence of God answering because hope involves waiting and trusting in God to answer (Ps. 39:7; 71:1–24; Rom. 8:24–28).
9. God promises Christians His presence (Dt. 31:6), protection (Ps. 27:1, 5), and provision (Mt. 6:31–33).
10. Believers will receive an inheritance because of their salvation in Christ, which is undefiled and does not fade away, reserved in heaven for them (1 Pet. 1:4).
If you are not a believer in Christ, receive Him now as your Savior; and you, too, can possess the hope God has revealed in His Word.
