SEVEN ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRISTIANITY: ONE HOPE

by J. K. Gossett [Note: This is a reprint from J.K. Gossett's book The Gospel in Newsprint]

In the context of seven pillars of Christianity, Paul by inspiration wrote, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in ONE HOPE of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4). 

Hope consists of desire and expectation. This hope, the Christian’s hope, is based upon the word of God. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Because faith is produced by the word of God and faith is the support of our hope, we are taught, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you A REASON OF THE HOPE that is in you with meekness and fear” (I Peter 3:15). Obviously, the reason of our hope must be based upon the word of God. Only those who believe and obey the truth have grounds for true Biblical hope. 

Hope is further defined as the acceptance of the promises of God. John wrote, “Beloved, 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. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3). 

Hope in Christ produces peace and purpose for being, while heathen religions, materialism, humanism, and all other human philosophies leave a man to live without knowing why he is upon the earth or what his ultimate destiny shall be. 

Before their debate on the existence of God, Robert Owen said to Alexander Campbell, “There is one advantage I have over the Christian-I am not afraid to die. Most Christians have fear in death, but if some few items of my business were settled, I should be perfectly willing to die at any moment.” “Well,” answered Mr. Campbell, “you say you have no fear in death; have you any hope in death?” “No,” said Mr. Owen. “Then,” said Mr. Campbell (pointing to an ox standing near), “you are on a level with that brute. He has fed till he is satisfied, and stands in the shade whisking off the flies, and has neither hope nor fear in death” (Richardson, Robert: Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. II pp. 242-243.). 

How benighted is the soul who has not a ray of hope with regard to eternity!