Hope in This Life

      “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (I Cor. 15:19).

      We have correctly viewed this verse to say without a future resurrection, Christianity is pointless. Why sacrifice the pleasures of this world if there is no greater reward? As Paul explained in Romans 8:18, the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory we shall see in eternity. But if there is no eternity, why endure the suffering?

      We were right when we have claimed this is Paul’s point. But something else in this statement has jumped out at me. Many today are beginning to say they do not want to hear about “pie in the sky in the great by and by.” They want to hear about help for the here and now. Modern “seeker-sensitive” movements tell us we need to be relevant.

      On the one hand, there is some truth to this approach. The Gospel does provide hope in this life. Living by the Gospel will preserve us from a great deal of heartache, pain and turmoil. The Gospel is relevant to our lives. It can fix our marriages. It can preserve our pocketbook. It can even help us maintain good health in certain ways. And there is certainly nothing wrong with letting people know the benefits we experience right here and now.

      However, these are neither the most important nor the greatest benefits. If these were the only benefits we had, we would be the most pitiable people in the world says Paul. The greatest benefit is the resurrection, the eternal life offered to the saved. We must not push that benefit aside in a hope to attract someone with some immediate gratification.

      When we overemphasize the present benefits, we will inevitably disappoint some people. No matter how diligently someone obeys the Gospel now, it will not take away the cirrhosis of the liver they developed through years of drinking. Can we promise them health? No matter how diligently someone obeys now, it will not take away the years of squandered income and lack of planning for retirement. Can we promise them wealth? No matter how diligently someone obeys the Gospel, it will not take away the persecution and oppression of those who will take away our all if they desire it. Can we really offer folks great promises in this life? Not really. But we can offer them heaven.

      Let’s face it, the hopes we often present to people as part of this life actually come more from our American culture than from Christianity. Yes, there are present benefits. Yes, it is right to share those. But let us never forget that if our hope is about things in this life, we are most pitiful. Let our hope be about heaven.

Edwin L. Crozier