CHRIST OUR HOPE
" If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." -I Corinthians 15:19 [KJV] Here is a supposition, and a consequence drawn from it. Consider, (1st.) This hope in Christ. It is not common to all men. It is a precious grace of the Holy Spirit. It springs from faith in Christ. It looks to the promises in Christ, and is nourished and supported by them. It is a lively hope. We are “begotten again to it, according to the abundant mercy of God our Father, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (I Peter 1:3.) By it, we are made to differ from all other men, who, though they may talk of hope in God, yet have no hope; but are without Christ, and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12.) Here is the proof of it: “Every man who hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (I John 3:3.) Mind—Christ is the object of this hope. It is in, or on Christ. The man who is the subject of it, purifies himself. How?