What is Hope?

NOTE: This is a written version of the message I delivered on 4 February.

I was reading in 1 John 3:1-3 (NASB) recently and here's what it says:

See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are. For this reason the world does not know us: because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

I want to focus on the word hope. According to Bible Hub, the Greek word for hope is έλπίδα (elpida). Further study of the word from Bible Hub reveals the following:

In the New Testament, "elpis" primarily denotes a confident expectation or trust in God's promises. It is not merely wishful thinking but a firm assurance based on the character and faithfulness of God. This hope is often linked with faith and love, forming a triad of Christian virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13).
…
In the Greco-Roman world, hope was often seen as an uncertain expectation, sometimes even a delusion. However, the Christian understanding of hope, as expressed in the New Testament, is rooted in the certainty of God's promises and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This hope is transformative, providing believers with strength and perseverance amid trials.

However, I found a good summary of hope in the 1 John 3:3 footnote in my 1988 NIV Study Bible:

Not a wish, but unshakable confidence. And confidence comes from the latin con fidelis, which means "with faith." And see at the end of that footnote, it says, "him. Christ." That sums it up for me: Christ. Hope in Christ -- hope in God and His promises -- is not wishful thinking as if saying, "I hope this happens." Rather, it is trusting what He says and expecting that it will indeed happen.

May you go forth in hope with faith and trust Him.

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