5 Thoughts About the Gospel of Hope

In 2008, Barack Obama won the White House because he abandoned much of the typical political rhetoric and brought a new message to America. In a time of depression and despondence his message of hope had true staying power.

Everyone wants hope, in good times or in bad. In good times or bad, we have a hope that cannot be surpassed by anything the government or the world can offer. Even in the darkest of suffering, our hope shines through. For this reason, we should have a view of suffering that is unique to the world.

In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul makes a startling claim. The reason believers suffer is so that we can bring comfort to others. He writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort [appropriate descriptions of God given the subject matter], who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

How is it that we are to use our suffering for the benefit of others? A couple thoughts:

1) Everyone suffers and needs comfort. REM got it right when they said, “Everybody hurts.” Everyone suffers, but everyone suffers for different reasons. Some people bring their suffering on themselves by making bad decisions. However, MANY people suffer not because of anything bad they’ve done but simply because they live in a world wrecked by sin. Sometimes people actually suffer because they’ve done “right” and are being persecuted by the world.

2) When believers suffer, we have an opportunity to share in the sufferings of Jesus. Anytime we find ourselves in hard times, we should remember the suffering Christ endured on our behalf. Knowing that we are going through something much less than he suffered enables us to be grateful to him and be drawn closer to him.

3) We receive comfort when we patiently endure suffering. James 1 also speaks of the benefits that are to be received from patiently enduring suffering. The Christian’s life is best understood backward. Much of life doesn’t make sense when we look forward because we cannot see what is next. However, for the follower of God; most of life makes sense looking backward, because we can see how God used situations in ways we could never imagine. Understanding this truth should compel us to be patient in the hard times, knowing that we may not understand right now, but will one day look back and see things perfectly.

4) Our hope is not just a blind leap. We aren’t just wishing that that God will be able to pull things off one more time. We are confident that He will triumph. He has already raised His Son from the dead. Having demonstrated His power over the grave, there is nothing that can keep Him from enacting His will and being the God of mercy and comfort. Hope and comfort abound when we remind ourselves that our God has power over death. Our reliance on God is rooted in His resurrection of Christ.

5) Having been comforted, we are obligated to comfort others. We become messengers of comfort and ambassadors of hope when we bring the message of the resurrection to all those who are suffering. We cannot feed the world, or rid our planet of disease. We cannot provide water for all who are parched or clothes for everyone who is naked. And though, in the name of Christ we will seek to feed the hungry, care for the sick, and clothe the naked; what we will not neglect is the hope that we give because of the resurrection!