Faith, Hope, and the Gospel
By T. Godfrey
“CONTINUE in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.” After a careful reading of this text, we find three very essential features presenting themselves for our consideration,—faith, hope, and the gospel. Says the apostle, “Continue in the faith.” Another text says, “Have faith in God.” Mark 11:22. What is faith, that we should have it, and continue in it? This question must be determined before we can intelligently enter into a study of the subject. Paul’s definition of faith, as given in his letter to the Hebrews, is as follows: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Heb. 11:1. The word substance suggests to the thinking mind the thought of solidity, density, firmness; the word evidence conveys the thought of truthfulness, certitude, that which determines facts. We also find that faith is not an inherent principle in man, but that it is a gift from God (Eph. 2:8), and is transmitted to man through hearing the word of God. Rom. 10:17. Therefore we arrive at a logical conclusion when we say that the Word of God is the substance of our faith. The evidence of our faith is in accepting the Word of God, and in obeying its teachings. Concerning Abraham and his call (Gen. 12:1) the Word of God says: “By faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Heb. 11:8. Speaking of this act on the part of this man of God, Paul says: “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Gal. 3:6. “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” James 2:23. Said Jesus, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14. Abraham believed God, and obeyed him. Thus we see that faith and obedience must go hand in hand; for faith without works is dead. James 2:17. The word of God was the substance of Abraham’s faith and expectations; “for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Heb. 11:10. As faith is a gift from God to man, and is transmitted to man through hearing the Word of God, it is evident that a knowledge of that Word is essential to sound faith. 2 Tim. 3:15. And sound faith is essential to salvation. Heb. 11:6. “For by it the elders received a good report.” Heb. 11:2. Therefore faith is not presumption, but it is the very essence of the Word of God, who can not lie (Titus 1:2), and who never changes. James 1:17; Mal. 3:6. The second thought in the text under consideration is hope,—“the hope of the gospel.” But what is hope?—Hope is expectation. Hoping for a thing is expecting to receive it, without any visible signs of its fulfilment. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:7. The Word of God is very explicit upon this point, as we shall see. “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Rom. 8:24, 25. “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:18. Thus we find a close affinity existing between faith and hope. Faith and hope are inseparable principles in the “gospel of Christ.” Faith believeth all things; hope, hopeth all things. And as faith cometh5by hearing the Word of God, so hope is begotten in us by hearing the Word of God. What is the gospel? Says the apostle, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Rom. 1:16. Thus the gospel is the power of God. And the power of God is in his word. Gen. 1:3; Ps. 33:6-9. Therefore the gospel of Christ is the word of God. Said Jesus, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15. Says the apostle Peter: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:23-25. Paul exhorted Timothy to “preach the word.” 2 Tim. 4:1, 2. So, then, the gospel is the good news of the power of God unto salvation, through Jesus Christ. Said the prophet Isaiah: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth.” Isa. 52:7. The gospel of God and the gospel of Christ are the same gospel. Said Jesus, “I have given them thy word.” Therefore, faith and hope are the essentials of the gospel, and the gospel is the substance, or foundation, of our faith and hope. Without the gospel, faith and hope could not exist; and without faith and hope, the gospel would be void and powerless. The hope of the gospel is in the second appearing of Jesus with “power and great glory.” Luke 21:27. In view of this great event, we are urged by the apostle to “live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13. Thus we have the gospel of Christ, which is the power of God; and faith, the golden chain, which connects us with hope, which is sure and steadfast, and is anchored within the veil.