Distinguishing Features | Hope

In part two of this three-part series, we’re looking at the characteristic of hope. Hope is a universal characteristic of anticipating a future better than the present. What makes it a distinguishing mark for the Christian is that our hope is not rooted in circumstances but in God’s past faithfulness. But the reality is, like with faith, our functional hope is not built on God but on current or potential circumstances. As a result, we are more often characterized by anxiety or despondency rather than hope. In order to grow in hope then, we must rehearse God’s past faithfulness to us until we are assured of our future. Christ, of course, is the ultimate demonstration of God’s past faithfulness and therefore our ultimate assurance of our future.