A GOOD HOPE

There exists among all men a dissatisfaction with the present. Especially since the fall of man, probably no creature can be satisfied with the present. We are not satisfied with the things we now have. Man always looks forward to and hopes for something which he does not presently possess. Sorrow, trouble, or at least imperfection is always connected with the present. And what then is there which keeps man standing in the midst of all that imperfection? The answer has to be: “hope”. The hope for better times. The hope to possess and to acquire that which we do not yet have. This desire and expectation of good is: “hope”.”

What is man without hope? Nothing else than a despairing person; a person who can no longer live. So we see that the word “hope” is of great significance. The expectation of the future and the hope for better times and circumstances is the power which keeps drudging and suffering mankind standing. It is noteworthy that man, who is bowed down by the misery of sin, is a hoping creature. However deep we may be in misery, we still cherish a hope within our heart. We always hope for deliverance and better times.”

No matter how seriously ill we may be, we still speak of a hope to be cured. Where there is no more hope, there is a collapse of man. Strength and courage fall away and all activities cease and then the flame of life is extinguished. According to the proverb among men, it is hope indeed which gives life. So we have to conclude that, there is no life without hope. Hence we see, that in general, man is able to retain hope in his heart in the most miserable circumstances. And so it is with man concerning eternity and death. Also, while considering these things, man has a hope. We can hardly speak with anyone about eternity and death, or they make mention of hope.”

Naturally, they do not always speak so openly and honestly about that. Speaking with men about eternity and the welfare of their souls, they shall tell you that they have no prospect and are unconverted. But, so often we can read between the Unes, that there is hope. A hidden hope and expectation. But the question is... is our hope a good and well founded hope? And that concerning the journey to death and the judgment seat of Christ.”

The good hope is the one which the Scripture indicates. Not that which man tells us to be good is good, but that which God calls good is really good. Here we find it paraphrased by the apostle as being “a good hope through grace.” We mean to say that there is no other good hope than this one. The hope through grace. For what other hope should there be for those who stand guilty over against a righteous and Holy God, but the hope through grace? Hence, all other hope is of no value. It is false and deceivable. There is also a hope of the spiderweb, which shall perish.”

There are many which have a hope, which cannot be called “a good hope.” There are those, and they are not a few, who hope upon the common grace and goodness of God. They say and consider with themselves that God is so good and so merciful, that in the end, it shall turn out better than was expected.”

Contrary to the statement of the Bible which tells us: “It is a fearful thing, to fall into the hands of the living God.” They say: “In the end God will be gracious unto us.” Others again hope upon their relationship to the church. We belong to the church of Christ. Through baptism we have been incorporated into the Christian Church. We are addressed as “Church of Christ” and “beloved in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Now then, what else does man require toward his eternal salvation? The list of hoping ones with a false hope is not yet filled. The devil is such a cunning deceiver to palm off a hope on man, which shall deceive, so that there is almost no end to the variety of vain hope. The doctrine that eventually there is mercy for everybody, is also a beloved means to deceive man. How many thousands have been slain by this false doctrine? Christ died, and satisfied for all. And from how many pulpits is not this proclaimed? How piously and sweetly do they sing of the Child Jesus, which was born for everybody, and of the Savior who died for all?”

Although it is a hope upon mercy, it is not a personal one, which is obtained through faith, but a common one which shall be shared by everybody. Here salvation is cheap and automatic. But there is still more false hope. Others have a hope because of religious experiences. They have dreamed a dream in which they saw the final judgment, and when the people were separated they saw themselves among the saved and purchased ones at the right hand of Jesus. Many have such sorts of things as their hope for eternity. We do not hear about a sorrow for sin, hunger and thirst after Christ’ s righteousness, but still they have hope. Our time is an easy time for hypocrites.”

Again another group fixes its hope on the gracious accepting of their good works and deeds. They have read that there is a great reward in the keeping of God’ s commandments, and for that reason they keep the commandments. In keeping the commandments they are not concerned about God or His honor, but about the wages. And considering their strict observance of many outward religious matters, they flatter themselves with a hope for salvation which they shall lose in that great day.”

The general basis for all these false hopes is: fear. From the fear of punishment of hell, proceeds the false hope. For that reason they hold fast to different things outside of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

When we now put over against that, the manner in which Paul speaks about hope, then we see that the ground of fear and terror is no good. Paul says: “and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our heart.” Only fear causes man to run away from God, and to turn to all sorts of idols, and then man holds fast to many things without repentance, and will never leave it again for anything in the world.”

Hence a good hope has an altogether different basis. In our text we read that a good hope is grounded “in grace.” ”

A good hope is a hope which is founded on the truth of the promise of God and the work of Christ. A good hope is a hope which is a genuine fruit of the Holy Spirit, and not one which is established by our discretion or being good. It must be a hope which bears the seal of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has to call it “good”. Only then our hope is “good”.”

Here in our text we hear it mentioned as being of the Holy Spirit. And which hope does the Holy Spirit here call a good and well grounded hope? It is the hope upon grace and mercy. Mercy is the ground of hope.”

That takes us to the place of one who is condemned to death. If you should ask such a person as to his hope, he would say: “Mercy from the King is my only hope.” He can no longer say: “I hope upon my innocence, my good behavior, my repentance and tears.” Oh no, since his guilt is a fact before the court, there is only one hope left whereby he can escape death, and that is: the mercy of the King.”

The word “mercy” takes us to this situation. We glory so often in the word “mercy” without realizing it. Whoever speaks of mercy, by that, he speaks at the same time of guilt and judgment. It is only a guilty one who hopes for mercy. It is a people who have been convinced of their guilt and sins by the Holy Spirit. They are inwardly and powerfully convinced of the magnitude and horribleness of their sins. With David they have to exclaim: “I am sensible of the magnitude of my evil.” ”

Oh how does this bow down man?”

How low does that cause man to bow before God?”

Here the tears of sorrow and repentance flow. But here is also that deep bowing beneath God’ s justice. They know that God is not only merciful, but also just. They are sensible of the fact that “God can in no wise clear the guilty.” How deeply convinced are they of their own immense debt and God’ s justice, and combining these two things, they have to cry out: “It is beyond hope.””

If God remains that which He is, viz. righteous and holy, and they also remain what they are, namely, guilty and unclean, and unable to do anything else than daily to increase their guilt, then it is lost!”

That is the distress of the truly discovered sinner. This true knowledge of God and of self leads us into the impossibility, and of being entirely cut off. No, God does not change. His demands for payment become stronger and more urgent. The law presses ever more with its curse. But neither do they change. Their heart seems to become more unclean and to contain more hiding places of evil. Their debt increases, and ah their righteousnesses become as a castaway garment in the light of God’ s holiness.”

Would it be possible to mention hope to such a one?”

This question may be answered twofold. When we consider hope of improving, tears and good works, then it really must be said “No”. Considering all this then such a man has to cry out, “It is beyond hope.” ”

In the light of God’ s terrible majesty, then all their righteousnesses are as filthy rags. They realize that they cannot stand before God, and from that side, everything is lost. They realize in the depth of their hearts the truth of the word of Paul, “By the works of the law, no flesh shall be justified before God.” But on the other hand there is hope. You may ask “Whereupon” ? Whereupon shall such a totally condemned sinner hope?”

The answer here is “grace”.”

In the true discovery there is a hand of God which smites and wounds. But, in that wonderful work there is also a hand of God, which draws and heals. God has created that hope within the heart. God gives us that hope. In the midst of all the flames of God’ s wrath because of sin, God causes rays of hope to descend into the soul of the fearing sinner. By His Word and Spirit He raises hope within the heart. A light shines not only upon their own guilt and damn worthiness, but at the same time a light shines also upon God’ s promises, which speak of mercy for the greatest of sinners. How is this seen already in the first awakening of the sinner, who was formerly dead in sins and trespasses? Already in the first awakening hope says: “I will supplicate my Judge.” It causes them to say in all their strife and condemnation:”

“I wait for God and on His word,
My hope relies.
My soul still waits and looks unto the Lord,
Till light arise.
I look for Him to drive away my night.
Yea, more than watchmen look for morning light.” ”

No, that wretched and guilty people is not without looking forward and expectation. There is hope, but only upon grace. This hope upon grace becomes constantly stronger, according to the measure that man loses all other hope and expectation. No one is so fit to hope upon mercy than he, who is condemned on all sides; because at the same time God’ s Spirit gives more light to shine upon the grace of God. They receive a believing knowledge of the grace of God, which is manifested in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

It is a hope which points to Christ’ s Person and Work. Then faith beholds Him coming into the world, then again His propitiatory death upon the cross, then again His submission to the demanding law within His heart; and then again to His resurrection and ascension or His work at the right hand of the Father. But wherever the compass needle of hope may turn, it is always directed to a full Christ.”

To have a good hope through grace, does not only mean to have seen God’ s grace in Christ, but to rest altogether upon that grace. That resting of faith is especially directed to Christ’ s propitiatory work on Golgotha. This is a work in which God did two things. Two things which according to our comprehension are inconsistent.”

In Christ’ s propitiatory work God was angry with sin, and at the same time He pardoned the sinner.”

Oh, to fathom that mystery! To behold and find a God who causes righteousness and peace to kiss each other. How rich and free is grace displayed in Christ Jesus. On the basis of Jesus’ propitiatory work, the sinner may be saved honestly. It is a pardon without putting justice aside. It is the Holy Spirit who acquaints the sinner with, and assures him of this reconciliation. He causes the promises of the gospel to descend into the soul, and calls to us, “You have found grace with God.” What a wonder that is! To have found grace in the eyes of a holy and righteous God. And all this only because of the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Further, true hope continues to rest upon grace. That hope never receives another name, since it is a hope in grace. In their dying hour the greatest saints have to put grace as their only hope, and pray. “God be merciful to me a sinner.” ”

May we ask you if this is your hope? If so, then you have become and remain to be a criminal before God. But as such a condemned one, you may glory in your hope upon grace. Let then this hope be your helmet in your warfare, such as Paul speaks about the helmet of hope. Let this hope be your anchor in the storm, such as the Scripture tells us. “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul.” Yea let this hope be as the wings of an eagle to lift us up above the world, in order that one day this hope may be exchanged for possession and beholding.”

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