The Gospel Way CatechismSample

QUESTION 29: What Is the Ultimate Hope for the Christian?

ANSWER

Our hope is Jesus Christ. We believe he will come again to reign over and restore the world, delighting to dwell with us and grant life everlasting, forever filling us with wonder, love, and praise.

“A man who believes is a man who hopes,” claimed Nicolas Sarkozy, former president of France. “Secular morality always risks exhausting itself because it is not backed up by a hope that fulfills man’s aspirations for the infinite.”

Our world wants to hope but doesn’t know how. We place our faith in ourselves and believe in the promises we make about human achievement. We modify and apply the best practices of religion and philosophy while resisting the call to open ourselves up to the real possibility of faith in God. We settle for false hopes that give us the illusion of reality. Like drinking in the sea to satisfy our thirst, we only leave ourselves more parched.

The Bible holds out a uniquely Christian vision of hope. Professor Vinoth Ramachandra says, “No faith holds out a promise of eternal salvation for the world the way the cross and resurrection of Jesus do.” The author of Hebrews says faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of things we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1-2). It’s not a tentative desire; it’s anchored in God’s unwavering promises. Philosopher and theologian John Frame puts it beautifully, “Hope is not something radically different from faith, but it is a kind of faith: faith directed toward the future fulfillment of the purposes of God.” Faith and hope come together; faith focuses on God’s authority through his Word, and hope looks to his sovereignty and knows God will bring his Word to pass (Jeremiah 29:11).

We were created to live for God and to hope in God. If we fail to live for God, we will be driven by the other things we live for. One of the terrible consequences of sin is that we fail to make God our greatest hope. We try to maintain control of our lives by pursuing money, success, status, sex, comfort, or something else. The result is always a loss of power, a form of slavery. We do not steal, commit adultery, or hurt people unless we first make something more fundamental to our hope and joy than our identity in God.

The ultimate hope for the Christian is embodied in Jesus Christ. He is not just the fulfillment of God’s promises; he is our hope. Christians look back at the fulfilled promises of God and look ahead to the eventual return of Jesus Christ. We expect his glorious return, where he will reign and restore the world to its original perfection. In his presence, we will find eternal life and limitless joy. The new heavens and earth will one day be our eternal home. We will be free from suffering and sorrow. All that will remain is the presence of God filling us evermore with wonder, love, and unending praise.

Reflection Questions

How does hope in Christianity differ from mere optimism or wishful thinking? Consider the depth and foundation of Christian hope, distinguishing it from general positive thinking by highlighting its basis in God’s promises and sovereignty.

In what ways does the Christian understanding of hope provide strength and endurance during life’s trials and uncertainties? Consider the practical impact of Christian hope, and how the assurance of God’s promises and the anticipation of Christ’s return equip believers to face challenges with resilience and faith.