by Rex Rouis
Both hope and faith know something about the future. Hope knows the potential of the future and faith knows the reality of the future. In other words, hope is an expectation of future events, and faith is a knowing of future events. Hope knows that the positive event can happen. Faith knows that the positive event will happen.
But how do they know? Because God knows.
Only God knows and controls the future sufficiently enough to be able to guarantee it. His guarantee is the basis for both hope and faith. Therefore, only God can impart hope and faith to one’s heart.
When you are seeking God for something, you are actually seeking Him for a desired future. You are seeking Him for His good future for you.
Jesus said that he is the Doorway; we all are to enter through him, and only through Him. If Jesus is the doorway into God’s future, then faith in Jesus Christ is the doorway into your future in God. The absoluteness of faith is based on the absoluteness of God, and His absolute control over the future.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 New International Version
Turn God’s promises into your own good future through seeking His word and seeking Him. The way of faith is the doorway into the future God has waiting for you.
Comments
I think I disagree with this. This definition of hope refers to worldly hope (it may be) not to Christian hope (it will be, but isn’t yet). Our hope of glory is based on the certainty of God’s word (Romans 4:18, 15:4; Colossians 1:5) and is as sure as God himself.
Faith on the other hand is, I believe (and as Hagin conclusively taught) now. Christian faith knows that a thing already is, despite being not yet visible, while Christian hope knows that a thing will be, despite being not likely.
Ayomide – Hope is always in the future. It is faith that brings it into the now. Hope knows that it can have and even may have it, but faith does have it. Rex
There is much here. I have read this several times over. I look forward to the new postings. Some of the postings don’t strike a chord while others do. This is one that does. I’m moved with the explanations of hope and faith. The author comes at it from different directions using different comments and phrases. The contrast of all these stirs my heart. I believe it is one of the tools bringing me into a closer walk with my God. The stirring of my spirit tells me it has it’s effect. I ponder on these articles and look forward to new ones – the Spirit (I believe) is bringing knowledge with everything the I identify with. He is along side. I can’t know when this will all come together, I wish I could. I believe I could rest easier knowing my pursuit is taking me in the right direction. I’m afraid of missing the path God has destined for me. I continue to stay the course. It seems I’m moving to slowly with out direction and that bewilders me. Thank you for being a stay for me at this time in my life.
Andy