We turn once more to consider the words that it be found in Paul's epistle to the Romans in chapter 8,

verses 24 and 25. For we are saved by hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For what a man man seeth why doth he yet hope for?

But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Now we began our consideration of these two verses, this statement, you remember, last Friday

evening, and we spent most of our time in defining the meaning of this word hope

that is used in two main senses in this statement.

And in doing so, we compared it and contrasted it, especially with faith,

suggesting that that was the best way,

really, to grasp the meaning of this word. On the whole, we were able to say that faith

looks backward to the finished work of Christ and shows us what he has achieved for us, whereas

hope looks forward in expectation of entering fully

into that which he has thus obtained for us. Well, you remember how the apostle puts this

in different forms, in different places. For instance, in the epistle to the Ephesians in the first chapter

in verses 13 and 14, he puts it like this, in whom also having believed ye were sealed with that

holy spirit of promise, who is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession.

That's it.

He's purchased something for us, but we haven't entered into it yet, except partly.

But the spirit is our seal and earnest until we receive in all its fullness what

is there for us in that possession that has already been purchased for us.

Now faith looks back to the purchasing of it.

Hope looks forward to the inheritance itself and to our entering in upon it.

So that we ended on this note, that there's nothing more important for us as Christian people

...