What is Christian hope?

Ivan Radford encourages us to see the world through the lens of God's enduring love and presence.

What gives you hope? On a gloomy January morning, with only a sliver of light on the horizon, it can be hard to muster hope in the darkness – browsing through the negative news headlines in your social media feed is called doomscrolling for a reason. But hope, real hope, is something that we can claim, as followers of Jesus – who, in his very name Immanuel, is with us.

Hope starts with our salvation. As the song ‘Cornerstone’ begins: ‘My hope is built on nothing less/ Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.’ Brought into personal relationship with our Saviour, the very Creator of the universe, we know that there is a place for us in Heaven – and that Jesus has had the final victory over sin.

This victory is profound and eternal. It’s already happened. It’s ahead of us. And yet we can only experience life chronologically: even though we know how the story ends, we still have to turn each page. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:13 that ‘right now three things remain: faith, hope and love’ (International Standard Version). While Jesus’ love endures for ever, right now, we have faith and hope. In our time-bound existence, they help us through each twist and turn by anchoring us in God’s love.

Even though news headlines can tempt us to feel like it’s the end, like the worst has happened and things can only get even worse, we have this truth to hold on to: this is not the end. Despite all appearances, doomsaying rage-baiting and fear-mongering, the story of God’s creation and redemption of humankind does not stop right now.

What, then, can the darkness of the world do to us? Psalm 27:1 declares: ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?’ And 1 John 4:18 elaborates: ‘There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.’

Let’s be frank: hope does not mean things are not difficult. Hope does not mean we will never experience pain, temptation or doubt. Hope does not mean there is no suffering or injustice. But hope is not merely a noun: it is a verb. Peter describes it as a ‘living hope’ (1 Peter 1:3). It is an active state of seeking Jesus’ presence in all circumstances – because we do not face anything alone – and doing so with confident expectation, without fear.

Romans 8:28 promises us that ‘in all things God works for the good of those who love him’. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that this includes God working in us: ‘I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns’ (New Living Translation). As Colossians 1:27 describes it, ‘the secret is simply this: Christ in you! Yes, Christ in you bringing with him the hope of all glorious things to come’ (JB Phillips New Testament).

Christ in us! Even amid darkness, we can trust that transformation will follow – transformation in us, when we let Jesus into those dark areas and seek his forgiveness and strength, and in our communities, as he works through us to build his Kingdom here.

The secret isn’t one to keep to yourself. The fruit of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22–23) is the unmistakeable mark of this living hope, and it echoes the attributes of God’s glory, as revealed to Moses in Exodus 34:6–7 – compassion, grace, patience, abundant love and faithfulness. When we live in hope, showing kindness, forgiveness and grace to those around us, we make God’s love visible. When we are present with people, living hope in difficult situations, we bring this hope to others. When we hope for a better world, and a better version of ourselves, we join in God’s transforming work.

Hope is not a passive optimism, but a committed decision, a choice, to see the world through the lens of God’s love, to trust in God’s overarching story. It is not reliant on something temporary, like the weather, but built on the unshakeable cornerstone of Jesus. Because he lives, we can face tomorrow. Because he lives in us, we can reflect his goodness. Because hope, real hope, is something the world is crying out for, and it’s yours if you want it. Have you claimed it? Are you living it? Are you going to keep the secret to yourself?