Thessalonian Faith

Hope and Faith

What is Hope?

Hope is the eager expectation of a guaranteed result.

Biblical hope is believing, with confident anticipation, that God will graciously grant something good and desirable in the future that He has proclaimed in the past. (Romans 4:21)

Hope is:

  • an unrealized reality
  • an eager, confident expectation

Example: an inheritance based on someone’s legal will.

Reality: Jesus Christ is our living hope (1 Timothy 1:1; 1 Peter 1:3, 8)

Hope is different from “wish”, which is only a desire for something that could be either possible or impossible, but definitely not guaranteed. 

What is Faith?

 Faith is the firm belief in something; complete trust.

Faith is, “the active sense of believing in, trusting, or committing to someone on the basis of the reliability of the one trusted”

— THE BAKER EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF BIBLICAL WORDS,
s.v. “Faith, Faithful, Faithfulness.”

“A constant outlook of trust towards God, whereby human beings abandon all reliance on their own efforts and put their full confidence in Him, His word and His promises.”;

“Confidence in and commitment to God and Jesus Christ. These attitudes remain sure even though the objects of faith are unseen. True faith is seen in obedient action, love and continuing good works.”

— Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).

“God is in control, But He doesn’t expect you to lean on a shovel and pray for a hole.”

— Unknown

What Is the Difference between Hope and Faith?

“Hope is an assured promise, whereas faith is acting out that promise. Faith is hope put into action.”

– June Hunt, Biblical Counseling Keys on Hope: The Anchor of Your Soul (Dallas, TX: Hope For The Heart, 2008), 6.

“Our hope in Jesus prompts us to step out in faith, taking God at His Word.”

“Our faith is motivated by our hope, and faith is the means by which we benefit from our hope.”

– June Hunt, Biblical Counseling Keys on Hope: The Anchor of Your Soul (Dallas, TX: Hope For The Heart, 2008), 6.

“For in hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we eagerly wait for it.” (Romans 8:24–25, LSB)

So:

  • Hope is expecting something (invisible, dormant faith; passive sense of believing)
  • Faith is doing something (visible, animated hope; active sense of believing)

“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1, NLT)

(See an example of faith in action HERE.)

Hope and Faith Work Together

Read the verses referenced in the outline below from your Bible and take notes on anything you consider important for people today.

Hope is Manifested by our Acts of Faith

Hebrews 11:

By Faith our Hope is Manifested through our Relationship with God (1-5)

  • Declarations (1-3)
  • Demonstration (4-5) (Abel, Enoch)

By Faith our Hope is Manifested through our Obedience to God (6-12)

  • Declaration (6)
  • Demonstrations (7-12) (Noah, Abraham)

By Faith our Hope is Manifested through our Biblical Worldview (13-31)

  • Declaration (13)
  • Explanation (14-16)
  • Demonstrations (17-31) (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses’ parents, Moses)

By Faith our Hope is Manifested through our Spiritual Ancestors (32-38)

  • Declaration (32)
  • Demonstrations (33-38)

Summary: By Faith our Hope is Manifested through our Commitment to God (39-40)

Conclusion: By Faith our Hope is Manifested through our Perseverance (Hebrews 12:1-2)