We Know; Not, We Hope

From: Young Christian: Volume 12, 1922

• 2 min. read • grade level: 5

“I hope so” is a most common answer that the Lord’s servants receive when inquiring as to the state of people’s souls; but the Scriptures show (Eph. 2:12¹²That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (Ephesians 2:12)) that as long as we are in the unconverted state we have

no hope.

No, sinner. Your case is utterly hopeless apart from the grace of God; so you had better discard “I hope so” at once. But believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and then you may know; for the language of faith is not, We hope; but, We know.

“We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding,” 1 John 5:20²⁰And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (1 John 5:20).

“We know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.” 1 John 3:24²⁴And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. (1 John 3:24).

“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” 1 John 5:19¹⁹And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. (1 John 5:19).

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” 1 John 3:14¹⁴We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. (1 John 3:14).

“We know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.” 1 John 3:19¹⁹And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. (1 John 3:19).

“We know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him,” 1 John 3:2²Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2).

“We know, that if our earthly house... were dissolved, we have a building of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:1¹For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1).

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that we have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13¹³These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13).

Reader, do you know?

“I’m only a poor sinner, but Jesus died for me, and I believe in Him; and God says I’m saved, and so I know I am!” said a dying girl.

Again I press it upon you, that as long as you are in your sins you have no hope; but if you are a believer on the Son of God, you are saved—saved in hope of the glory of God. And this is what the Word of God calls “a good hope through grace,” based on His promises (who cannot lie), which are all in Christ, yea, and in Him, Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

The Christian, knowing he is saved, rejoices in hope of the glory of God (Rom. 5:2²By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2)).

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