Hope in Brokenness

 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33

On Sunday, we walked through a difficult passage in Ephesians 5:15-21. This text was full of challenging paradoxes we walk through as followers of Christ. One of the more wearisome paradoxes is that we are called to be thankful, even in the evil of days. The truth is that the world around us is broken and sin-stained. It doesn’t take long to see this in the news and the relationships around us. As followers of Christ, we are called to live in hope amid brokenness. This dichotomy sounds strange to those who do not know Christ. 

To fully understand this paradox, we must understand the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. This “Good News” is how we comprehend this complex idea and point others to it. You see, in the sin of Adam in Genesis 3, humanity was cursed by the penalty of sin. This penalty was the wrath of a Holy God on a sinful creation. But the curse of sin did not stop with mankind, all of creation was cursed (Romans 8). This truth allows us to understand the Apostle Paul in reminding the church at Ephesus to “Look careful how they walk, for the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16).” The evil of our days can be seen everywhere.  We see it in our sinful flesh as we covet and create idols. We see it in our world as the creative order is perverted. We see it in our bodies as they slowly decay and physically die. These are all imprints of the sin-cursed creation. If we allow it, this dark truth will consume our thoughts and minds. But we as those who are born again (John 3), those who are the Bride of Christ, have been created to think differently about this reality. We have been called to walk and proclaim hope in the brokenness. 

Hope in the brokenness! This is the message and pursuit of our lives in Christ. In understanding the Gospel of the Lord Jesus, we know that despite our brokenness, our deadness, and our selfishness, the Father sent His Son, Jesus. Jesus left the heavens and came to earth to live a life we cannot live, a life of complete righteousness (Philippians 2). He also obediently went to the cross to be the perfect atonement for our sins. The wrath that you and I deserve was placed on Jesus. He died our death. The power of the Holy Spirit resurrected him. In His life, death, and resurrection he established hope and life for all who place their faith in Him. In Him, we are born again as a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). A “new man” that is in indwelt with the Holy Spirit. In the new creation, we are given gifts of the Spirit. One of those gifts is Hope. In Hope, we walk in the darkest valley knowing light is breaking through (Psalm 23). In Hope, we walk as we lose a loved one (1 Thessalonians 4:13). In Hope, we walk as we get the cancer diagnosis. In Hope, we proclaim the truth to those far from the Lord. In Hope, we walk in victory over this evil age.

Brothers and sisters, while we walk in dark days. We are called to walk in the hope of the Lord Jesus in the valley and the mountaintops. This hope should be in every aspect of our walk. It should be the rhythm of praise that we walk in all our days on this side of eternity. Go today, and put on display the hope of the Lord Jesus. 

I love you and consider it an honor to serve as your pastor.

Blessings,

Bro. Kris