“I HOPE so.” “I trust it will be all right with me at last.” “I’m hoping in the mercy of God.” How often we hear such answers as these in answer to our questions concerning the soul’s salvation. Sad indeed it is, to find in many such cases, that hopes are based upon something, which will not stand the test of God’s word. Many have a dim thought that God will at the Day of Judgment have mercy upon them. Others build for eternity upon what they are doing now. They rest on their good deeds, morality, charity, prayers, and even religious duties. Alan may have a religion which is quite contrary to God’s. He may call it Christianity, or by any other name, but if it be not according to the written word, it is opposed to God.
How solemn is the truth that all such will assuredly, sooner or later, find that they have been like the foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. When the storm begins to rise, all their fancied security will vanish, and they will find themselves without shelter, exposed to all the billows of the wrath of God against a Christ-rejecting world.
Beloved reader, what is your hope? Is it anything of which I have been speaking? Be assured that nothing will stand the test of that day which is not based upon the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the sinner’s perfect plea. Resting solely upon what that blessed One has done, calm and peaceful will the believer stand when heaven and earth shall pass away. None shall be able to lay anything to his charge, for the precious blood perfectly answers everything that was against the sinner who believes in Jesus.
Is this your hope, reader? If not, rest not, I entreat you, until you can truthfully say—
“My hope on nothing less is built
Than Jesus and the blood He spilled.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.”
G. J. H.