Hope in God.
A sermon by pastor J. C. Ryle.
“Good hope through grace.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16
Five Marks of Good Hope in God.
Everybody can say, “I hope.” About no subject is the expression commonly used as it is about religion. “I hope it will be all right.” “I hope I shall be a better man someday.” “I hope we shall all get to heaven.” But why do they hope? On what is their hope built? Too often, they cannot tell you! Too frequently, it is a mere excuse for avoiding a disagreeable subject. “Hoping,” they live on. “Hoping,” they grow old. “Hoping,” they die at last—and find too often that they are lost forever in hell. I ask for the serious attention of all who have read this paper.
The subject is of the most profound importance: “We are saved by hope” (Rom 8:24). Let us ensure that our hope is sound. Have we hoped our sins are pardoned, our hearts renewed, and our souls at peace with God? Then let us see to it that our hope is “good” and “lively” and one that “makes not ashamed” (2 Th 2:16; 1 Peter 1:3; Rom 5:5).
Let us consider our ways. Let us not shrink from honest, searching inquiry into the condition of our souls. If our hope is good, examination will do it no harm. If our hope is bad, it is time to know it and seek a better one. There are five marks of a really “good hope.” I desire to place them before my readers in order. Let us ask ourselves what we know of them. Let us prove our state by them. Happy is he who can say of each of these marks, “I know it by experience. This is my hope about my soul.”
I. First, a good hope is a hope that a man can explain.
What does the Scripture say? “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). If our hope is sound, we must be able to give some account of it. We must be able to show why, on what grounds, and for what reason we expect to go to heaven when we die. Now, can we do this? Let no one misunderstand my meaning. I do not say deep learning and great knowledge are necessary for salvation. A man may know twenty languages, have the whole body of divinity at his fingers’ ends, and yet be lost. A man may be unable to read and have a very weak understanding and yet be saved. But I do say that a man must know what his hope is and be able to tell us its nature. I cannot believe a man possesses a thing if he knows nothing about it.
Once more, let no one misunderstand my meaning. I do not say that the power of talking well is necessary for salvation. There may be many acceptable words on a man’s lips and not a whit of grace in his heart. There may be few stammering words and yet deep feelings within planted there by the Holy Ghost. Some cannot speak many words for Christ and yet would die for Him. But for all this, I do say that the man with good hope should be able to tell us why. If he can tell us no more than this, that he feels himself a sinner and has no hope, but in Christ, it is something. But if he can tell us nothing, I must suspect he has no real hope. I am aware that the opinion just expressed displeases many. Thousands can see no necessity for that explicit knowledge, essential to saving hope. So long as a man goes to church on Sunday and has his children baptized, they think we should be content. “Knowledge,” they tell us, “may be very well for clergymen and theology professors, but it is too much to require it of common men.”
My answer to all such people is short and straightforward. Where in the whole New Testament shall we find that men were called Christians unless they knew something of Christianity? Will anyone try to persuade me that a Corinthian Christian, Colossian, Thessalonian, Philippian, or Ephesian could not have told us his hope about his soul? Let those believe it who will: I, for one, cannot.
I believe that in requiring a man to know the ground of his hope, I am only setting up the standard of the New Testament. Ignorance may suit a Roman Catholic well enough. He does as his priest tells him! He asks no more! But ignorance ought never to be the characteristic of a Protestant Christian. He ought to know what he believes; if he does not know, he is in a bad way. I ask every reader of this paper to search his heart and see how the matter stands with his soul. Can you tell us nothing more than “you hope to be saved”? Can you not explain the grounds of your confidence? Can you show us nothing more satisfactory than your vague expectations? If this is the case, you are in imminent peril of being lost forever! Like Ignorance in The Pilgrim’s Progress, you may get to your journey’s end and be ferried by Vainhope over the river without much trouble. But, like Ignorance, you may find to your sorrow that you have no admission into the Celestial City. None enter there but those who know what and Whom they have believed (2 Timothy 1:12).
I lay down this principle as a starting point and ask my readers to consider it well. I admit most fully that there are different degrees of grace among true Christians. I do not forget that there are many in the family of God whose faith is very weak and whose hope is very small. But I believe confidently that the standard of requirement I have set up is not too high. I believe the man with a “good hope” will always be able to give some account of it.
II. In the second place, good hope is hope drawn from Scripture. What says David? “I hope in thy word.” “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.” What says St. Paul? “Whatsoever things were written before, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Psalm 119:81, 49; Romans 15:4). If our hope is sound, we ought to be able to turn to some text, fact, or doctrine of God’s Word as the source of it. Our confidence must arise from something God has caused to be written in the Bible for our learning and that our heart has received and believed.
It is not enough to have good feelings about the state of our souls. We may flatter ourselves that all is right and that we are going to heaven when we die, and yet have nothing to show for our expectations but mere fancy and imagination. “The heart is deceitful above all things”; “He that trusts in his own heart is a fool” (Jer 17:9; Pro 28:26). I have frequently heard dying people say that they felt quite happy and ready to go. I have heard them say they craved nothing in this world. And all this time, I have remarked that they were profoundly ignorant of Scripture and seemed unable to hold firm on a single gospel truth! I never can feel comfort about such people; I am persuaded that something is wrong with their condition. Good feelings without some warrant of Scripture do not make up a good hope.
It is not enough to have the good opinion of others about the state of our souls. Others may tell us on our deathbeds to “keep up our spirits” and “not to be afraid.” We may be reminded that we have “lived good lives, or had a good heart, or done nobody any harm, or not been so bad as many,” all this time, our friends may not bring forward a word of Scripture and may be feeding us on poison. Such friends are miserable comforters. However well-meaning, they are downright enemies to our souls. Without the warrant of God’s Word, the good opinion of others will never make up a good hope. If a man would know the soundness of his hope, let him search and look within his heart for some text, doctrine, or fact out of God’s book. There will always be someone or more on which your soul hangs if you are a true child of God. The dying thief in London who was visited by a city missionary and found utterly ignorant of Christianity laid hold on one single fact in a chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel—which was read to him—and found comfort in it. That fact was the story of the penitent thief. “Sir,” he said when visited the second time, “Are there any more thieves in that book from which you read yesterday?” The dying Hindu, found by a missionary on a roadside, had grasped one single text in the First Epistle of St. John and found peace in it. That text was the precious saying, “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). This is the experience of all true Christians. Unlearned, humble, and poor, as many of them are, they have a hold of something in the Bible that causes them to hope. The hope that “makes not ashamed” is never separate from God’s Word (Romans 5:5).
Men sometimes wonder why ministers press them so firmly to read the Bible. They marvel that we say so much about the importance of preaching and urge them so often to hear sermons. Let them cease to wonder and marvel no more. Our object is to make you acquainted with God’s Word. We want you to have a good hope, and we know that a good hope must be drawn from the Scriptures. Without reading or hearing, you must live and die in ignorance. Hence we cry, “Search the Scriptures”; “Hear, and your soul shall live” (John 5:39; Isa 55:3).
I warn everyone to beware of a hope not drawn from Scripture. It is a false hope; many will discover this at their cost. That glorious and perfect book, the Bible, however, men despise it, is the only fountain from which man’s soul can derive peace. Many sneer at the old book while living and find their need for it when dying. The Queen in her palace, the pauper in the workhouse, the philosopher in his study, and the child in the cottage must be content to seek living water from the Bible if they are to have any hope at all.
Honor your Bible, read your Bible, and stick to your Bible. There is not on earth a scrap of solid hope for the other side of the grave that is not drawn out of the Word.
III. In the third place, a good hope is a hope that rests entirely on Jesus Christ. What says St. Paul to Timothy? He says that Jesus Christ “is our hope.” What says he to the Colossians? He speaks of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (1 Timothy 1:1; Col 1:27). The man who has a good hope finds all his expectations of pardon and salvation on the mediation and redeeming work of Jesus the Son of God. He knows his sinfulness; he feels guilty, wicked, and lost by nature—but he sees forgiveness and peace with God offered freely to him through faith in Christ. He accepts the offer, casts himself with all his sins on Jesus, and rests on Him. Jesus and His atonement on the cross, Jesus and His righteousness, Jesus and His finished work, Jesus and His all-prevailing intercession, Jesus and Jesus only is the foundation of the confidence of his soul.
Let us beware of supposing that any hope not founded on Christ is good. All other hopes are built on sand. They may look good in the summertime of health and prosperity, but they will fail on the day of sickness and the hour of death. “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Co 3:11).
Church membership is no foundation of hope. We may belong to the best of churches but never to Christ. We may fill our pew regularly every Sunday and hear the sermons of orthodox, ordained clergymen, and yet never hear the voice of Jesus or follow Him. If we have nothing better than church membership to rest upon, we are in a poor plight: we have nothing solid beneath our feet.
Reception of the sacraments is no foundation of hope. We may be washed in the waters of baptism and yet know nothing of the water of life. We may go to the Lord’s Table every Sunday and never eat Christ’s body and drink Christ’s blood by faith. Miserable indeed is our condition if we can say nothing more than this! We possess nothing but the outside of Christianity; we are leaning on a reed.
Christ Himself is the only true foundation of a good hope. He is the Rock: His work is perfect. He is the stone, the sure stone, the tried Corner Stone. He can bear all the weight that we can lay upon Him. He only that builds and “believes on him shall not be confounded.” (Deu 32:4; Isa 28:16; 1 Peter 2:6). This is the point on which all true saints of God in every age have been entirely agreed. Differing on other matters, they have always been of one mind upon this. Unable to see alike about church government, discipline, and liturgies, not one of them has ever left the world trusting in his righteousness. Christ has been all their confidence; they have hoped in Him and not been ashamed.
Would anyone like to know what kind of deathbeds a gospel minister finds comfort in attending? Would you know what closing scenes are cheering us and leaving favorable impressions on our minds? We like to see dying people making much of Christ. So long as they can only talk of “the Almighty” and “Providence” and “God” and “mercy,” we must stand in doubt. Dying in this state, they give no satisfactory sign. Give us the men and women who feel their sins deeply and cling to Jesus, who think much of His dying love, who like to hear of His atoning blood, who return again and again to the story of His cross. These are the deathbeds that leave good evidence behind them. For my part, I had rather hear the name of Jesus come heartily from a dying relative’s lips than see him die without a word about Christ and then be told by an angel that he was saved.
IV. In the fourth place, a good hope is a hope that is felt inwardly in the heart. What says St. Paul? He speaks of the hope that “makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts”; he speaks of “rejoicing in hope” (Romans 5:5; 12:12). The man who has a good hope is conscious of it. He feels something that another man does not; he is conscious of possessing a well-grounded expectation of good things to come...I cannot believe a man can be a true Christian if he does not feel something within. A new birth, a pardon of sins, a conscience sprinkled with Christ’s blood, and an indwelling of the Holy Ghost are no minor matters as men seem to suppose. He that knows anything of them will feel them—there will be an authentic, distinct witness in his inward man…The “good hope” is a hope that can be felt.
V. In the last place, a good hope is a hope that is manifested outwardly in life. Once more, what does Scripture say? “Every man with this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure” (1Jo 3:3). The man with good hope will show it in all his ways. It will influence his life, character, and daily conduct and make him strive to be a holy, godly, conscientious, spiritual man. He will feel obligated to serve and please Him from Whom his hope comes. He will ask himself, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?” He will feel, “I am bought with a price: let me glorify God with body and spirit, which are His.” “Let me show forth the praises of Him Who hath called me out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Let me prove that I am Christ’s friend by “keeping his commandments” (see Psalm 116:12; 1 Co 6:20; 1 Peter 2:9; John 15:14).
This point has been of infinite importance in every age of the Church. It is a truth that is continually assailed by Satan and needs guarding with jealous care. Let us grasp it firmly and make it a settled principle in our religion. Light in a house will shine through the windows; if there is any real hope in a man’s soul, it will be seen in his ways. Show me your hope in your life and daily behavior. Where is it? If you cannot show it, you may be sure it is nothing better than a delusion and a snare. The times demand a very distinct testimony from all ministers on this subject. The truth on this point requires very plain speaking. Let us settle it in our minds profoundly and beware of letting it go. Let no man deceive us with vain words. “He that doeth righteousness is righteous.” “He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” (1 John 2:6; 3:7). The hope that does not make a man honest, honorable, truthful, sober, diligent, unselfish, loving, meek, kind, and faithful in all the relations of life is not from above.
Only “the talk of the lips tends to poverty.” “He who boasts in himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.” (Proverbs 14:23; 25:14).
(a) some in the present day flatter themselves that they have a good hope because they possess religious knowledge. They are acquainted with the letter of their Bibles; they can argue and dispute points of doctrine; they can quote texts by the score to defend their own theological opinions. They are perfect Benjamites in controversy: they can “sling stones at a hair breadth, and not miss” (Jdg 20:16). And yet they have no fruits of the Spirit, no charity, no meekness, no gentleness, no humility, nothing of the mind that was in Christ. And have these people a hope? Let those believe it who will, I dare not say so. I hold with St. Paul: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge… and have not charity, it profits me nothing” (1Co 13:1-3). Yes, hope without charity is no hope at all.
(b) some, again, who presume to think they have a good hope because of God’s everlasting election. They boldly persuade themselves that they were once called and chosen by God for salvation. They take it for granted that there was once a real work of the Spirit on their hearts and that all must be well. They look down upon others who are afraid of professing as much as they do. They seem to think, “We are the people of God, we are the temple of the Lord, we are the favored servants of the Most High, we are they that shall reign in heaven and none beside.” And yet, these very people can lie, cheat, swindle, and be dishonorable! Some of them can even get drunk in private and secretly commit sins, which is a shame to speak of! And have they a good hope? God forbid that I should say so! The election that is not “unto obedience” is not of God but of the devil (1Pe 1:12). The hope that does not make a man holy is no hope at all.
(c). some today fancy they have a good hope because they like hearing the gospel. They are fond of hearing good sermons. They will go miles to listen to some favorite preacher and even weep, much affected by his words. To see them in church, one would think, “Surely these are the disciples of Christ; surely these are excellent Christians!” And yet, these very people can plunge into every folly and delight of the world. Night after night, they can go to the opera, the theatre, or the ball with their whole heart. They are to be seen on the race-course. They are forward in every worldly revel. Their voice on Sunday is the voice of Jacob, but their hands on weekdays are the hands of Esau. (Gen 27:11, 23). And have these people a good hope? I dare not say so. “The friendship of the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4). The hope that does not prevent conformity to the world is no hope at all. “Whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world” (1 John 5:4).
Let us beware of any hope that does not exercise a sanctifying influence over our hearts, lives, tastes, conduct, and conversation. It is a hope that never came down from above. It is mere base metal and counterfeit coin. It lacks the mint-stamp of the Holy Ghost and will never pass current in heaven. The man who has real hope, no doubt, may be overtaken by a fault. He may occasionally stumble in his practice and be drawn aside from the right path.
But the man who allows himself to commit any willful and habitual breach of God’s Law is rotten at the heart. He may talk of his hope as much as he pleases, but he has none in reality. His religion is a joy to the devil, a stumbling block to the world, a sorrow to true Christians, and an offense to God.
Oh, that men would consider these things! Oh, that many would use prayers like this: “From antinomianism and hypocrisy, good Lord, deliver me!”
I have now done what I proposed to do. I have shown the five leading marks of a sound good hope. (1) It is a hope that a man can explain. (2) It is a hope that is drawn from Scripture. (3) It is a hope that is founded on Christ. (4) It is a hope that is felt within the heart. (5) It is a hope manifested outwardly in the life. I firmly believe such is the hope of all true Christians, of every name, church, denomination, people, and tongue. We must have such hope if we want to go to heaven. Such is the hope without which, I firmly believe, no man can be saved. Such is the “good hope through grace.”
