I have been reading a book this week by German theologian Jurgen Moltmann. The book is titled Theology of Hope. This is considered one of the great works about why Christians are people of hope and what that hope is grounded upon.
I’d like to share with you one quote from the book:
“Totally without hope one cannot live. To live without hope is to cease to live. Hell is hopelessness. It is no accident that above the entrance to Dante’s hell is the inscription: ‘Leave behind all hope, you who enter here.’”
-Moltmann, Theology of Hope
Hope is essential to existence.
To live without hope is to not live at all. For Christians, we place hope at the very center of our existence. Hope becomes the possibility of what may be, even though it is not yet. Hope dreams of a brighter future.
Paul speaks of hope like this:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
-Romans 15:13
A couple of notes here—
- God is given the title “God of hope.” Hope is an essential characteristic of God’s being. Paul doesn’t simply tack hope on as a small aspect of God. God is a God of hope!
- Hope fills us with joy and peace. Joy and peace do not stand on their own. Joy and peace find their roots in hope. Believing in the God of hope will make us more joyful, peaceful people.
- Hope and peace and joy increase as we grow in our trust of God. When you think about it, this makes perfect sense. When I learn to trust God with my life, this takes the pressure off of myself to figure everything out. In trusting God, I can release an unnecessary burden that should only be carried by God. Naturally, I’ll then feel more joyful, peaceful and hopeful.Wherever this week takes you, may you trust in the God of hope to fill you with joy and peace.
We are in the middle of our annual Stewardship Campaign titled First Fruits. Thank you to all who have already turned in an Estimate of Giving Card! If you haven’t yet had a chance, you can fill one out online at https://www.unitypres.org/estimated-giving/. Or if it is easier, you can mail it to the church office: 8210 Unity Church Rd. Denver, NC 28037 or drop it off in the sealed container outside the office or sanctuary doors.
Thank you for your generosity!
On Sunday we’ll continue our series The Big Three by concluding our discussion of hope.
See you on Sunday!
-Pastor David
