Not only do we remind ourselves of this hope, we draw alongside others to minister to them in their grief. Not that we use the message of hope to dismiss or rebuke their grief, but we are ready with the word of life to apply the balm of Gilead to their aching souls.

others who have no hope
(1 Thess. 4:13, NKJV)

Often the idea of hope leads us to wishful thinking along the lines of “I hope it doesn’t rain today.” We can’t know for sure that it will be good weather for our picnic, no matter what the meteorologist said, but we sure hope so.

Early on in his letter to the Thessalonians Paul spoke of hope (1:3), but now he brings us to a deep dive into the subject. “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope” (1 Thess. 4:13).

He will go on to explain the ground for our hope as Christians but first he wants to make a distinction. Brothers have a hope; others do not. Those in Christ have a hope; those outside of Christ have no hope.

When Paul speaks of possessing hope, he is not saying that Christians have a chance but non-Christians do not, akin to those who say of the lottery, “if you don’t play, you can’t win.” He is not saying unbelievers have no chance but believers at least have some chance because they are in the game.

No, the apostle is making an absolute distinction based on an absolute certainty. The hope he refers to is not “hope so.” Rather, biblical hope is a confident expectation, an assured conviction, a vibrant certainty that rests on the accomplished work of Jesus Christ. The Christian’s hope is secure because Christ’s saving work cannot fail.

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