The influence of hope on Christian steadfastness.
The third part of the parenthesis. To the solemn warning against apostasy he hastens to add how they can be delivered from the evil, and tells them of the power of hope on Christian steadfastness.
I. THE WRITER ENCOURAGES THE CULTIVATION OF CHRISTIAN HOPE. He says he is full of hope with regard to them, and desires that they would cherish that hope for themselves. (Note: It is remarkable, if the previous verses are aimed against assurance, that they should occur in a passage which reveals the writer's ardent desire not to destroy assurance, but to increase it!)
1. Hope must be preceded by faith. The Epistle is addressed to those who have faith, and to these it is said—Go on to hope. Hope is higher than faith. Faith reveals; hope anticipates.
2. Hope is, to a great extent, the fruit of spiritual diligence. "Diligence unto," etc. It is the work of the Spirit ("Abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost"), but it is also spoken of as though it were secured by human diligence. God gives this fruit in the soul's vineyard to human toil. Hope can be cultivated by an increase of Christian knowledge; its lack is due to neglect of Scripture. Also by constant meditation—meditation on the things we know about. Also by the right use of the discipline of sorrow, for sorrow carries in it the message, "Set your affections on things above." We can have hope if we are willing to pay the price for it.
3. Hope tends to the production of full assurance. It is the fruit of assurance, and bears a seed which sows itself in the heart, and produces assurance in its turn. Earthly hopes do not tend to assurance—they may disappoint; but the hope based on Scripture is declared to be the work of the Spirit; and since he could not deceive us, there must be a reality corresponding to this. "If it were not so, I would have told you."
II. THE WRITER AFFIRMS THAT THE GROUND OF CHRISTIAN HOPE IS THE INFALLIBILITY OF GOD'S WORD ABOUT CHRIST. In showing the ground on which hope is possible, the case of Abraham is introduced as an illustration. He was a conspicuous example of hope (Romans 4:18; Hebrews 11:10) and his hope is here said to have been founded on the Divine promise. Thus:
1. Christian hope is based on the Divine Word. Not on experience, feelings, attainments—these are sand; but on the infallible truth of God's utterance—that is rock.
2. This Divine Word is confirmed by an oath. God's oath is not more true than his simple declaration, but he condescends to it in pity for our infirm faith. God swears by himself, i.e. he appeals to the perfections of his own nature. Is not as much as that implied in every "Verily, verily, I say unto you"? Think of a soul refusing to trust God when—I say it reverently—he is on his oath!
3. The particular Word on which hope is based is the Word about Christ's high priesthood. Our hope is fixed on that which is within the veil, that is, Jesus. (Note: Before this parenthesis begins, the apostle was resting his argument on Psalms 110:1-7., "The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever," etc. The perpetual high priesthood of Jesus was secured by the Divine oath. In this passage, therefore, the writer is, no doubt, referring to the same oath about Christ, with which the reference to Jesus within the veil corresponds) In what capacity is Jesus within the veil? He is there as Redeemer, presenting his atoning blood which cries for mercy. He is there as Intercessor, the High Priest with the graven breastplate, and the incense of prevailing prayer for his people. He is there as Forerunner, pledge of his people's exaltation: "Where I am, there shall also," etc. God has said, promised, sworn all this. What an infallible ground of hope for those who simply flee for refuge to lay hold thereof!
III. THE WRITER POINTS OUT THE POWER OF THIS CHRISTIAN HOPE TO PRODUCE CHRISTIAN STEADFASTNESS. "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul." They are vacillating, in danger of falling away. Hope can hold them fast.
1. Hope prevents our drifting away with the current. In Christ we have reached the soul's haven, but even there—idly rocking on a peaceful sea—we are in peril. Life's calm may lull us to slumber, and noiseless currents carry us away to where he is not—where the soul makes shipwreck, and is saved only "on boards." The antidote to this evil is in the soul's hope fixed on Christ within the veil, the affections set on things above, "where Christ," etc.
2. Hope holds us safe in the storms. When a storm is gathering, ships enter the bay and anchor there in safety. Storms of temptation, and sorrow sweeping down on us with a cruel blast, are the time to fix our hope—our longing desire, calm confidence, eager anticipation—on Christ within the veil. To cast out anchor then, and wish for the day, is to ride out the storm unhurt.
3. Hope keeps us within cheering sight of the shore. You are come to the harbor, but not permitted to enter; but the anchor of hope holds you fast there, and the sweet sounds and gracious influences of the fair land, to be yours presently, are yours now.—C.N.
HOMILIES BY J.S. BRIGHT