How the Gospel Can Transform This Community Pt. 3 - The Gospel and Hopelessness

 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13.

       Let's consider now another one of the root problems in our community that the Gospel can conquer and by doing so, transform our community: Hopelessness. Hopelessness contributes to a slew of evils and problems in any community. If a person cannot imagine a rewarding future, if there is nothing for them to look forward to, then there seems to be very little reason to deny oneself any and every immediate pleasure right now. Drug addiction, drunkenness, overeating, gambling, sexual promiscuity, lying, stealing, cheating - Why wouldn't a person engage in these activities if there is no hope. Like it's said in I Cor. 15:32 "If the dead are not raised, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.'" It makes sense.

       If there is no hope, why would I bother myself with efforts to help the poor, heal the sick, restore relationships, or anything that might put me out? Why would I care about anyone? I have only of few short years on this planet to live it up as much as I can and enjoy whatever I can experience and then I just die and return to the dust to be forgotten. John Piper puts it this way: "Hopelessness destroys moral conviction by making it look ludicrous. And therefore it destroys almost everything that is beautiful and precious."

       And without the Gospel, there is no hope for the future. "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins" (I Cor. 15:17). Without there being some sort of hope beyond the grave, the kind of self denial and sacrifice it takes to lift a community out of darkness and poverty and sin becomes extremely difficult. The energy it takes and the sacrifices made may seem heroic for awhile, but the little and momentary praise that may come with your efforts will soon be overtaken by the meaninglessness of it all if you really feel like once death comes, that's it.

       We can start programs to help lift people out of poverty, help their fellow-man, end drug addictions, etc., but without hope, those doing the good deeds will tire and fade and those "benefiting" will see little reason to expend the effort to make those changes. So what has the power to awaken hope and transform the heart so that the sacrifice required to take the steps to kill the influence of drugs and alcohol, lift people from poverty, end racial strife, and cure the ills of society all the while pleasing God and exalting Jesus as Lord? The only answer is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It brings with it the promise and hope of eternal life. And it comes with the powerful assurance that God is for and not against us. And if our God is for, then who can ever stop us? Who can stand against us? Who defeat us? (Rom. 8:31). For we are "more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Rom. 8:37). Living in the power and hope the gospel "is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come" (I Tim. 4:8).

       Just imagine what would happen to our community if Hopelessness we're not an issue. If, in fact, people held onto the only true and unwavering hope of the Gospel? Perhaps more men and women would step up to the plate and say with Paul "I will gladly spend and be spent for your souls" (II Cor. 12:15). Perhaps our communities would be transformed for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ.

In Christ,
Ryan Fillinger
Fusion Church
Fountain, CO