What is the difference between Hope and Faith?
I have given this considerable thought as of late because there is a difference.
If you were to ask me differentiate the two, my response would be that Faith is Hope put into action.
Take a look at the shepherds who heard about the birth of Jesus.
The angel told them that the Savior was born in the City of David. A heavenly army accompanied the angel and praised God.
The shepherds did not simply hope that the message was true.
They put their hope into action.
Luke 2:15 (NET) - When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us."
In Mark chapter 5, we read about the woman who suffered from a bleeding disease for twelve years.
She saw many doctors trying to get well and only grew worse.
She put her hope into action.
Mark 5:27-29 (NET) - When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched His cloak, for she kept saying, "If only I touch His clothes, I will be healed." At once the bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
Also in Mark, we read of Bartimaeus.
He was a blind beggar who sat by the road.
How he hoped that might be able to see.
As Jesus approached, he put his hope into action.
Mark 10:47-48 (NET) - When he heard it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
His hope required still more action.
Mark 10:49-50 (NET) - Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man and said to him, "Have courage! Get up! He is calling you. He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
Once there, his sight was restored.
Notice that it was Bartimaeus that came to Jesus,.
Jesus did mot come to Bartimaeus.
Then there is the account of the thief crucified with Jesus,
When another of the thieves insulted Jesus, the other put his hope into action.
Luke 23:40-42 (NET) - But the other rebuked him saying, "Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?" And we rightly so, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom."
Though he himself was hanging on a cross, as well, his hope was transformed into faith.
His faith was rewarded.
Luke 23:43 (NET) - And Jesus said to him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise."
These are just a few examples of how hope put into action becomes faith.
As Easter approaches, we find our thoughts turning to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
Because of His sacrifice, we have eternal life.
If you only hope that is true, then now is the time to put that hope into action.
Go to the tomb by reading the gospels.
Step inside and see for yourself that the tomb is now empty.
Thank Him for what He has done for you.
The moment you put your hope into action it will turn into faith.
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/
I have given this considerable thought as of late because there is a difference.
If you were to ask me differentiate the two, my response would be that Faith is Hope put into action.
Take a look at the shepherds who heard about the birth of Jesus.
The angel told them that the Savior was born in the City of David. A heavenly army accompanied the angel and praised God.
The shepherds did not simply hope that the message was true.
They put their hope into action.
Luke 2:15 (NET) - When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us."
In Mark chapter 5, we read about the woman who suffered from a bleeding disease for twelve years.
She saw many doctors trying to get well and only grew worse.
She put her hope into action.
Mark 5:27-29 (NET) - When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched His cloak, for she kept saying, "If only I touch His clothes, I will be healed." At once the bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
Also in Mark, we read of Bartimaeus.
He was a blind beggar who sat by the road.
How he hoped that might be able to see.
As Jesus approached, he put his hope into action.
Mark 10:47-48 (NET) - When he heard it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
His hope required still more action.
Mark 10:49-50 (NET) - Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man and said to him, "Have courage! Get up! He is calling you. He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
Once there, his sight was restored.
Notice that it was Bartimaeus that came to Jesus,.
Jesus did mot come to Bartimaeus.
Then there is the account of the thief crucified with Jesus,
When another of the thieves insulted Jesus, the other put his hope into action.
Luke 23:40-42 (NET) - But the other rebuked him saying, "Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?" And we rightly so, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom."
Though he himself was hanging on a cross, as well, his hope was transformed into faith.
His faith was rewarded.
Luke 23:43 (NET) - And Jesus said to him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise."
These are just a few examples of how hope put into action becomes faith.
As Easter approaches, we find our thoughts turning to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
Because of His sacrifice, we have eternal life.
If you only hope that is true, then now is the time to put that hope into action.
Go to the tomb by reading the gospels.
Step inside and see for yourself that the tomb is now empty.
Thank Him for what He has done for you.
The moment you put your hope into action it will turn into faith.
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/
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