HELPMEET. A helper and companion (Ge. 2:18). [See Home.]
HOPE. In reference to the Christian life, the Bible word hope means certain, sure, confident salvation. Hope is called an "anchor both sure and stedfast" (He. 6:19), a "strong consolation" (He. 6:18), an "everlasting consolation" (2 Th. 2:16), "the hope of eternal life" (Tit. 1:2), "an helmet" (1 Th. 5:8), "a living hope" (1 Pe. 1:3). This, of course, is the very opposite of the way the word "hope" is used in everyday conversation. Normally we use the word to express something uncertain. Salvation in Jesus Christ is exactly the opposite of this. The believer can be absolutely certain his sin is forgiven and that he has eternal life.
IF IT IS NOT UNCERTAIN, WHY IS IT CALLED A HOPE? Our salvation in Christ is called a hope, not because it is uncertain, but because we do not yet enjoy the fulness of it (Ro. 8:24-25).
WHY CAN A CHRISTIAN HAVE SUCH CONFIDENCE? (1) God's promise (He. 6:17-19; Tit. 1:2); (2) Jesus' blood (He. 9:27); (3) Jesus' resurrection (1 Pe. 1:3); (4) Jesus' priesthood (He. 6:19-20); (5) God's grace (2 Th. 2:16). The Christian can have certainty of eternal salvation because such is not the reward for faithful service and good works, but is the gift of God's grace through the blood of Christ. The believer's security does not depend upon his own goodness and faithfulness, but upon that of the Savior. The Christian's hope is not his faithful service, but the Lord Jesus Christ Himself (1 Ti. 1:1). He is our hope! And the fact that Christ lives within the Christian is his certainty of future glory (Col. 1:27).
WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN'S HOPE? (1)Eternal life is the Christian's hope (Tit. 1:2). (2) Christ's coming is the Christian's hope (Tit. 2:13). (3) Resurrection is the Christian's hope (Ro. 8:23- 24). (4) The glory of God is the Christian's hope (Ro. 5:2; Col. 1:27). This is a reference to the splendor and wealth of Christ's kingdom (Col. 3:4) and also to the moral perfection which we will share at resurrection (1 Jn. 3:1-3). (5) Perfect righteousness is the Christian's hope (Ga. 5:5). (6) Rich inheritance is the Christian's hope (Ep. 1:18). (7) To be like Jesus is the Christian's hope (1 Jn. 3:2-3). All of these things are the certain possession of every true Christian. This is our hope. It is not God's will for the believer to be unsure about whether or not he possesses these things; rather it is His express will that we "abound in hope" (Ro. 15:13). Praise God for such a salvation!
THE EFFECT OF DENYING THE BELIEVER'S HOPE. To teach that the Christian cannot be certain of eternal life, resurrection, glory, etc., is to ignore the meaning of the Bible word hope and causes the following spiritual injury:
1. It takes away the believer's sure and stedfast anchor of the soul (He. 6:19). The thing which makes it possible for a Christian to stand fast through storms of doubt and fear and problems is the sure knowledge that the blood of His Savior has made him eternally right with God. Believers who do not understand their true position in Christ are left to drift about on life's stormy seas without an anchor. They have no security or stability. They do not know exactly where they stand with God. Their souls are often troubled and fearful, because they have a wrong understanding of salvation.
2. It takes away the believer's helmet (1 Th. 5:8-10). The Christian who is not taught his certain hope in Christ has no helmet to protect him from Satan's lies (Ep. 6:10-17). It is the Christian's mind which is thus exposed to Satan's darts. When the devil comes with his accusations and doubts, the Christian who has no helmet of a know-so salvation is defeated and tossed about.
3. It takes away the believer's consolation (2 Th. 2:16). God desires the Christian to enjoy the comfort of knowing he is eternally safe in Jesus. Those who teach an uncertain salvation rob Christians of this priceless comfort. The true Christian cannot be robbed of his secure blessings in Christ, but he can be robbed of the comforting knowledge of these blessings in this life if not properly instructed. [See Eternal Security, Gospel, Grace, Healing, Joy, Justification.]