Christian Hope

There are few things more debilitating than hopelessness. When it appears that there is no way out, or the prognosis is terminal, and everything swirling around us seems completely out of control it can be difficult to face another day. When we have nothing to live for and there is no hope at the end of the tunnel we are susceptible to a whole range of emotions. At the start of 2009 many are wondering about what will come next. In the midst of financial restructuring, global unrest, moral and political confusion, problems that defy simple overnight solutions, many are not sure there is anything to look forward to except more of the same. Advisers, and other types of salesmen, who were full of confidence not so long ago have suddenly changed their tune and are now telling us to accept the new realities and plan for the long run.

The story is told of a farm laborer, working at a lowly task, who once said to Robert Louis Stevenson, "him that has something ahead of him need never be weary." This observation describes the driving force behind 1 John 2:28-3:3. In this passage John brings a word of encouragement based on the future and the appearance of Jesus at the end of the age. John reminds us that the Christian gospel is a message of hope. Hope for the otherwise hopeless. Hope based on what God has done, and is doing, and will yet do in Christ. And it is these great truths that should animate and inspire the Christian to keep going even when the going is difficult and others have given up.

In these verses John writes about 1) the foundation of Christian hope, 2) the activity of hopeful Christians, 3) the fulfillment of Christian hope. The foundation of Christian hope is the  appearing or coming of Jesus. John sees the appearing of Jesus at the end of the age as something that Christians should look forward to and his coming should be something that shapes of lives. The return of the Lord is not merely grist for theological debate and discussion, it should make a difference in our lives. The world as we know it will not go on forever. There is an end-point established by God when all will stand before him. We are very foolish if we do not plan for that day. Many people who would not think of going anywhere without insurance are completely unprepared to stand before the risen Lord.

While we wait for him we are required to live as 'dear children' conscious that we are part of the family of God. We are told to 'continue in him,' that is, live by faith in him so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him. Time is a precious commodity. What we do with 'our time' is significant. Our use or misuse of time reveals who we are on the inside. Hopeful Christians do not just mark time they are also concerned to do what it right. This is a major theme in John's first letter. They never get over the fact that God has lavished his love on them, so much so, that they are called 'children of God.' Contrary to common opinion, all human beings are not God's children in the special way that John here describes. The apostle Paul says that we are born 'children of wrath' and so what happens to transform us into 'children of God' is nothing short of spectacular. And this transformation not only alters our standing with God but our hearts so that we desire more than anything else to love God and do his will.

One day our hope will be fulfilled and realized. When Christ appears we will be like him for we will see him as he is (3:2). What a day this will be when we are finally transformed in the likeness of the Saviour. The world around us makes all kinds of promises that it cannot fulfill. It thrives on the caffeine of hype, constantly making things sound better than they are, and in the process setting people up for inevitable disappointment. Not so the Christian gospel. It does not disappoint because it is established by one who cannot lie and cannot die. He has removed all of the obstacles that keep us from returning to paradise and one day we will enter in as he has promised. Since the new heavens and earth to come is characterized by righteousness, all those who hope to enter into the enjoyment of Lord in that place purify themselves, just as he is pure (3:3). How thankful we should be for these things no matter what doom and gloom fills the air!