[Dec. 2d, 1866.]
Hope, subjectively considered, is the desire and expectation of future good. Christian hope is the desire and expectation, the joyful anticipation of the blessings promised in the gospel of Christ. These are summed up in the expression, “the glory of God,” i.e., the glory of which God is the author. That glory includes, 1. The highest exaltation and perfection of our nature, which implies the restoration of the divine image to the soul. We shall be like God, conformed to the image of his Son. This likeness includes inward holiness of the soul, and the transformation of our bodies, so that they shall be like his glorious body. 2. Exaltation in the scale of being, arising from the enlargement of all our powers to do, and all our capacity to receive. 3. Dominion, or exaltation in dignity as well as in excellence and power. What and how great this is to be, we know not. Neither do we know in other matters what God has in reserve for those who love him. 4. The blessedness promised or hoped for includes not only these personal excellences and distinctions, but also the presence, vision and fruition of God, and specially of God in Christ.
For feeble and sinful worms of the dust to cherish such expectations would be the height of presumption and madness were it not for the foundation which we have for such a hope. That foundation is, 1. The promise of God. There is nothing in what has been said which God has not expressly promised in his word. 2. The infinite merit of the Son of God. These benefits are not bestowed capriciously, or without a just reason, as a rich man or king might lavish an estate upon a pauper. But the eternal Son of God has merited for his people this inheritance. He has purchased it for them. It is secured to them by a covenant which cannot be broken. 3. The love of God is infinitely great and entirely gratuitous. Hence we infer, first, that there is no benefit which that love is not ready to confer; and, secondly, that the possession of these benefits, their ultimate fruition, does not depend upon us. If while we were enemies Christ died for us, how much more shall we be saved by his life. 4. The witness of God’s Spirit with our spirit that we are the children of God.
Hope is the “helmet of salvation.” 1. Because it protects the believer’s most vital part from the assaults of his enemies. In the hand-to hand conflicts of old, the head was the worst exposed. Its protection was of the first importance. Hence the helmet was as necessary as the shield. No soldier could venture into battle without it. So with the Christian, the hope of salvation is necessary to prepare him for the battle on which he enters. (1.) It gives security. (2.) Therefore it gives confidence, courage and endurance. Hope gives security. (a.) From the assaults of Satan, against our faith, against our confidence in God; and from our proneness to neglect eternal things. (b.) It secures the soul from the attractions and the allurements of the world. (c.) From the corruptions of our own hearts.
In thus protecting him, it gives courage, cherfulness and constancy.
- The helmet was not only a protection, but also an ornament. It was the most attractive part of the warrior’s equipment. So is hope to the Christian. It adorns him and enables him to carry his head erect.
Inferences
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The duty of cherishing this hope, and not yielding to unreasonable despondency.
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The duty of living as becomes those who have such a hope.
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