Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

3. LIVING HOPE.—The hope that lives and flourishes by hoping! This
is simple hope, in its greatest activity and operation:—hope with all the
range of possible good in its eye, its expectation, and its desire. Its objects
are necessarily future; but all is future that is in the least degree removed
from the present; hence, the future, properly speaking, verges on the time
that now is. The blessings that are necessary now it sees at hand; desires
the possession; believes the possibility of immediate attainment; claims
the grace from God through Christ; and thus realizes its object. Having
received this blessing, it is strengthened to go out after more; sees,
desires, and claims the next in course; receives this, and thus realizes
another good that a short time before was future; and continues to be
future still to all others who do not act in this way.
This hope is ever living by receiving. Pardon and holiness, the
forgiveness of all sin, and purification from all unrighteousness, must be
attained here. This it sees; of this it is convinced; and these blessings are
the first objects of its attention. It claims them by a living energy, through
faith; for hope cannot exist nor act without faith; and by faith is its work
made perfect. Thus it is ever receiving. All future blessings, belonging to
the human state of probation, which extends from the cradle to the grave,
in the whole series of their approximations, becoming present, are
realized in their order; and the innate power of the last received serves to
support that which was received before, and thus on all the increasing
glory there is a defence.
This hope takes up all God's blessings in their places and proper series.
There are some of its objects, as stated above, which necessarily belong
to this life; others that as necessarily belong to the world to come. It will
not refer the blessings to be obtained here to the state after death; nor will
it attempt to anticipate those blessings which belong to eternity, in the
present state. It is a discriminating grace, for it is ever supported by
knowledge and faith. It walks uprightly, and therefore surely.
"Grace is in all its steps, heaven in its eye;
In every gesture dignity and love."