WHAT OR WHOM DOES THE MAJORITY OF HUMANITY PLACE THEIR HOPE IN?
In influential people or material wealth. Very often, we witness individuals who place their sole hope in a particular person, seeing their well-being and happy future under that person's patronage. However, such individuals forget the undeniable truth that these same influential people are mortal and transient. The prophet refers to such hope as "vain" and warns that unless they come to their senses, they will face suffering and even destruction (Isaiah 31:2-4).
Many others place their hope in material wealth, feeling secure and happy. It is for such individuals that Jesus told the parable of the foolish rich man, which concludes with these words: “Fool! This very night your soul will be demanded of you, and the things you have prepared—whose will they be?” (Luke 12:20).
Ultimately, a person must always remember the biblical truth: “Whoever trusts in riches will fall” (Proverbs 11:28). In this regard, it is appropriate to recall the words of the late Catholicos Karekin I: “It is self-deception to expect (or hope from God) personal gain, because in doing so, we do not submit to God’s will, but rather try to make God submit to us.”
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF A CHRISTIAN’S HOPE IN GOD?
To inherit eternal life, which God will grant as a reward to true Christians (Matthew 19:29). As the Apostle says: “If in Christ we have hope only for this life, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:19).
More than hoping for spiritual blessings in this life (which are also important), a Christian must place their hope in the salvation of their soul and body, the only guarantee of which is the resurrection and second coming of Jesus Christ. It is during Christ’s second coming that all the dead will be resurrected, and if found righteous, they will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
In reality, it is not that "hope is the last thing to die" (a widely accepted saying among our people), but rather that hope leads us toward a new and blissful life. To emphasize this idea, the Apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonians, saying: “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so too will God bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (1 Thessalonians 4:12-13).
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LOSE HOPE OR FALL INTO DESPAIR?
Yes, those who do not know Christ or have turned away from Him are deprived of true hope (Ephesians 2:12).
Hope can also weaken and gradually disappear: “My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my hope in the Lord is lost” (Lamentations 3:18). The hopeless are often skeptics or those drowning in sin, who have distanced themselves from God and lack the strength to see the merciful Father’s outstretched hand offering help. Indeed, “Weak faith leads to despair, and evil deeds bring the fear of torment” (St. Gregory of Tatev).
Furthermore, despair can even drive a person to suicide. For this reason, it is considered one of the gravest sins: “Despair is utterly evil and corrupt; like all sins, it is the most severe and harmful to man” (St. Gregory of Tatev).
WHAT SHOULD A CHRISTIAN’S HOPE IN GOD BE LIKE?
Firm and complete, because “Trials cannot exhaust our hope in God” (Pimen the Hermit). For us, as Christians, maintaining the strength of our hope is a fundamental requirement: “…Hold fast to your hope until the end” (Hebrews 6:11). Hope in God helps us endure hardships, pray frequently, and remain joyful (Romans 12:12).
Finally, let us remember that the Almighty and Good God is also “the God of hope,” who constantly strengthens us: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).
Hayk Madoyan
