Christ Jesus Our Hope

by J.E. Kemp | Category: General | Jan 1962

(1 Timothy 1. 1, R.V.).

Several adjectives are used to qualify hope in the New Testament. Let us notice three that point to three definite blessings.

1. BETTER HOPE: Associated with the priestly work of Christ (Hebrews 7.19).

2. LIVING HOPE: Associated with the Resurrection of Christ (1 Peter 1. 8).

3. BLESSED HOPE: Associated with the Coming of Christ (Titus 2.18). This hope is not merely to us an event, but the coming of a Person.

The word of God reveals this great fact as

A CERTAIN HOPE

"I come again" (John 14.8) is His promise, still unchanged and unchangeable. Any promise depends for its fulfilment on both the truthfulness and power of him who makes it. Some promises are broken because the promiser is unwilling to keep his word; others are broken because, though willing, he is unable, but we are dealing now with the promise of One whose power and truthfulness cannot be disputed. Such is the Hope of the believer, for hath not Christ said He would come again? He said He would die, and He did. He said He would rise again, and He did. He said He would come again, and He will.

A COMFORTING HOPE

The words found in 1 Thessalonians 4.18-18 are principally words of comfort written to those dear saints of God whose hearts were sorrowful. They mourned the loss of loved ones, and they wondered in their deep anguish if, when, and how the Lord would come and unite them again. Dearly beloved in Christ, do not our thoughts often turn to that sacred spot in the cemetery where we laid the mortal remains of some we have loved? Yes, and some of us mourn the loss of dear ones and we know not where their bodies are lying, but this we know, we shall meet them once more at His coming again.

When our eyes are fitted with tears,

How our aching heart it cheers

Blessed Hope of the coming of the Lord."

May the Holy Spirit use these words to cheer us on our way Home, for if alive at His coming we shall be called, changed and caught up, and, best of all, be with Him and those loved ones for ever.

A CONSECRATING HOPE

The world has a proverb, " Where there is life there is hope." The word of God teaches that where there is living hope there is purity, for "every one that hath this hope set on Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure "(1 John 3.8). If we are expecting Him, it will affect us. The thought that our stay down here may terminate at any moment induces holiness. It is the spur in all our efforts urging us to labour, without stint or reserve, for the salvation of others. Soon we shall have our last opportunity to speak to the lost; only a little while is left for us to wrestle in prayer for the unsaved, and but a brief while to live down here for Him. These solemn realities call for consecration, so

Let all who look for, hasten that coming joyful day,

By earnest consecration to walk the narrow way."

J.E. Kemp | Jan 1962
General