A conversation about Advent.
Jeremiah 33:14-16
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’
Luke 21:25-36
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Recently, I had a conversation about Advent, during which someone asked if the candles were named. I explained that each candle represents a key aspect of the season, with the first candle symbolizing Hope. This sparked a thought-provoking exchange. My conversation partner asked, "Oh, like faith?" This comment led me down a rabbit hole, revealing a common misconception: some people, even those within the Christian community, equate faith and hope as identical concepts. Others have suggested they are fundamentally different, with some even implying that hope can undermine faith. However, they are distinct yet intrinsically linked.
Understanding the connection between these two concepts is essential for our lives as Christians, especially during Advent when we seek to draw nearer to God by studying His Word. Scripture is replete with passages that highlight the importance of both faith and hope, underscoring their advantages for our spiritual journey. Today, I want to focus on clarifying the distinctions between faith and hope while deepening our understanding of their relationship.
In our everyday language, we often express sentiments like “I hope this” or “I hope that.” For many, such phrases represent the closest encounter they have with the type of faith that stems from God. Conversely, some view their faith in a sports team as a form of hope that they will make it to the playoffs. This blending of concepts demonstrates how our secular society has muddled the nuanced meanings of faith and hope.
Defining Hope and Faith:
While both hope and faith are positive, they differ significantly at their core. Hope is desire combined with expectation—the belief in the possibility of obtaining what we long for. In contrast, faith represents a firm or unquestioning belief in something, even in unseen or unexperienced aspects. It is vital to recognize that hope embodies trustful anticipation, particularly regarding the fulfillment of God’s promises.
The Apostle Paul encapsulates this idea in Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” This verse suggests that God embodies hope and instills it within those who believe. True faith cannot exist without anticipating God’s actions in our lives. Hope serves as the fuel for our faith, but it isn’t its foundation.
Interestingly, I do not find many commentators writing about it, but I believe that God Himself possesses great hope. Scripture indicates that God desires all to be saved, even though we know this won’t happen universally. In Matthew 13, Jesus offers the parable of the net, illustrating the ultimate division of the righteous and the wicked, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (vv.47-50) This parable emphasizes that God’s hope is for all His children to seek Him and achieve righteousness. Christ’s incarnation as a child exemplifies this hope, making Christmas a celebration of God’s longing for humanity.
Hope comprises both confidence and desire; it drives our willingness to put our faith into action. When we walk by faith, we are infused with hope because our desires align with God’s purposes. Our expectations become filled with confident anticipation. Once we see those expectations met, we recognize that Christ has intervened on our behalf through the Holy Spirit, and we engage our faith more fully. As I mentioned earlier, you cannot truly walk in faith without anticipating God’s actions in your life. An expectation is essential, and this is where hope comes into play.
Understanding place and tense:
Hebrews 11 states, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (v.1). Here, faith exists in the present, emphasizing our current belief in God’s promises. In Mark 11, Jesus tells us, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (v. 24). The crux of this passage lies in believing and receiving. While praying, we must act as if we’ve already received what we’re asking for, trusting in God’s attentiveness and anticipation of our needs.
When we pray with faith, maintaining confidence that God hears us, we arise from those moments assured that our requests align with His will. This conviction eliminates uncertainty; instead, our spirits echo the belief that we have received answers to our prayers, fully embodying our faith in action.
Hope, on the other hand, always pertains to the future; it embodies what we anticipate with desire will transpire. Hope is one of the most remarkable aspects of the human spirit, enabling us to endure hardship and strive forward. Soldiers have reported finding strength in their faith, sustaining their hopes for reinforcement during battle. Conversely, many individuals succumb to despair when hope fades, revealing its importance in our spiritual and natural existence. Think of the phrase, “All hope is lost,” verses, “In the depths of despair, it is hope that ignites the soul, casting a radiant light that pierces through the darkest shadows, reminding us that even the smallest spark can illuminate a path toward a brighter tomorrow.” See how the loss or acceptance of hope can affect our emotional well-being.
We have faith that Jesus Christ will return for His Church—an event we anticipate and hope for in joy. In Galatians 5, Paul notes, “For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.” (v.5). Similarly, Romans 8 reminds us, “For in this hope we were saved. Now, hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?” (v. 24). God fills us with hope; we look forward to what is yet to come, ensuring we don't merely "hope" that God hears our prayers but confidently trust that He does.
Through our faith, we live our lives as Christians, confident that Christ died for us and that the Holy Spirit guides our paths. We also nurture hope: we seek justice in a broken world and pray that our neighbors seek Christ. We pray that they share in the fullness of faith so that we may be reunited with one another in heaven.
Hope is profoundly significant, especially during Advent. It involves anticipation, reflection on God's promises, and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth and the transformative hope He brings into our lives and the world. This hope nurtures our faith and is integral to our ministry, both individually and as a church. Here is something to think about as you reflect upon the hope this Advent season: I mentioned those who have lost hope, but even worse than the loss of hope, a simple lack of hope could lead us to complacency in our salvation, voiding the urgency of sharing the message of Jesus with others.
So, as we enter this Advent season, let us celebrate hope. Let us rejoice in what Christ has done, is doing, and will continue to do for us!
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Works Cited
Interlinear Bible. (2024, Nov. 29). Retrieved from Biblehub.com: https://biblehub.com/interlinear
Merriam-Webster. (2024). Retrieved from Merriam-Webster's unabridged dictionary: https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com
NRSVue. (2022). NRSVue Holy Bible with Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
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