THE GLORY OF THE GOSPEL

"That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge, to lay hold upon the hope set before us." —Hebrews 6:18 [KJV]

It is the glory of the gospel that it reveals glad tidings to hopeless, helpless sinners. It finds nothing in us to entitle us to the favor of God: but it brings all hope and consolation to the soul, founded upon the most absolute promises, and the strongest assurance of an immutable God. As verily as it is impossible for the God of truth to lie or forswear Himself, so is it impossible for any of the heirs of promise to perish. Such is the blessed hope before us. Happy souls, who have fled to Jesus for refuge, and have laid hold of this hope! Henceforward nothing but consolation, strong consolation, ariseth to such poor sinners from the word of truth.

This hope can never fail them; whatever within or without fluctuates or changes, this never can. This hope is ever to be held fast, even though appearances wear a gloomy aspect, sense of comfort declines, feelings of joy seem dead, and all hope from ourselves forsakes us. But, Father, Thy mercies never die; Thy counsel shall stand; Thy oath cannot fail. Hope in these is an anchor to the soul. Whatever storms or tempests are without, or when the swelling waves of corruption lift up their voice within, yet the God of hope is mightier than all, and the Christian hope riseth above all; therefore is it sure and steady. It is cast out of sight within the veil. By this blessed hope of the gospel, poor, sin-condemned, soul-distressed sinners, are kept steady to Jesus, and find a comfortable and secure refuge. And that precious Spirit, who shews them their danger, and guides them to safety, causeth the joy of hope to spring up in their souls. They enjoy hope in themselves concerning their own state towards God through our Lord Jesus Christ, even a good hope through grace: and they are made to abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost. O this is a comforting, operative grace! it leads the soul to expect all that God has promised, even all the blessings of the everlasting covenant of grace, which flow to us from the life and death of Jesus; all are secured by the immutable counsel and solemn oath of an unchangeable God, both for time and eternity. And as a fruit and evidence that it is a holy, godly hope, it influences the soul in obedience to all the Lord's commands. "Every man that has this hope in him, purifies himself even as God is pure."—I John 3:3.

Thus Jesus is the only and alone Object through whom God reveals the hope of salvation. His work is finished. It is our happiness to believe this, and to rejoice in the hope it affords us. Christ is therefore ever to be looked to, and daily trusted in. And the more thou art exercised in this way, so much the more inward hope and joyful consolation will be experienced in the soul. "My hope is in Thee."—Psalm 39:7.

William Mason