HOPE For Our World By Bishop Whitter
FALL 2025 ISSUE | 5 minute read
The Hope of the World
One megachurch Pastor is quoted as saying, "the local church is the hope of the world." While we could dissect and parse his words or try to figure out the exact intent of this phrase, our time will be better spent examining the need for hope in this world and God's plan to provide it.
"Hope" can be briefly described as the belief that a desired outcome is possible. It can be said that we have hope when we are able to see past our current limitations or hindrances and believe for a preferred reality. The gift of hope is vital to a well-balanced individual and society. But while hope is an important element of a healthy existence, it is a rare commodity in too many cases.
Hope is under attack! The enemy of our mind and soul knows that, if he can eliminate hope in our lives, he has won the battle. So, he bombards us with disappointment, repeated failure, and seemingly insurmountable problems. Disillusionment can follow. Unaddressed, this perception that nothing good will come often leads to despair or hopelessness. And hopelessness is one of the greatest distinguishing characteristics of hurting people.
Into this environment, God send the Church!
To set aside any confusion, let's restate the opening quote. "Jesus Christ is the Hope of the world!" He alone has the power to offer hope to a hopeless world. His love for humankind, His redemptive acts and His perfect wisdom provides all we need to hold on to optimism for a desired outcome. Regardless of our circumstances, Jesus is hope! In seemingly hopeless times, recall the wisdom of King Solomon when he wrote, "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:21-23) Because God is always faithful, we always have hope!
Christians are called to be agents of hope!
The Church is not a building; it's not merely an earthly institution. The Church is comprised of Christ followers disbursed around the world for the purpose of sharing the Gospel of Jesus. Technically, Jesus is the Hope of the world, but He chooses to display and share that hope through the Church, through individual Christians. So, in a manner of speaking, the Church (and individual Christians) is/are the hope of the world!
Because hope is such an essential and fundamental need in our world, we simply must get this right. We cannot afford to place our hopes in underserving things. Anything manmade, any human institution, any device concocted by humans is not worthy of our hope. Our money, our politics, our abilities and our knowledge will fail – and leave us hopeless. We certainly don't want to stand guilty of offering a false hope to the world, especially because we have access to perfect Hope!
Let's get practical. How can we, as carriers of hope, offer this most blessed commodity to a hurting world? It starts with those closest to us, it starts in our hearts. We simply cannot allow despair to abide in our minds, in our homes and families. We must refuse to give in to the onslaught of negativity. We must cover ourselves and our loved ones with a layer of love and faith. We must know who our God is and know what He has promised to do. And we must hold tightly to that, regardless! Our lives will become a testimony of hope in Christ. Others will notice. And when they do, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (I Peter 3:15) When hope permeates your life, you will earn the right to offer hope to those who need it most.
In my opinion, the responsibility of sharing hope is one of the greatest opportunities given to the Church. Hope in Christ is the solution for the despair of this world. Let's not squander this moment. Because if we don't share hope, we will lose hope.
My prayer for each of you today: (Romans 15:13) "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."
Bishop Rick Whitter
State Administrative Bishop
Virginia Church of God State Office