1 Pet. iii. 15. Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meek- ness and fear.
THE Christian's life must of necessity appear strange to those who know not the principles by which he is actuated. They see a friend or relative pause amidst the crowd of his associates, and retrace, in opposition to them, all the steps he has trodden throughout his whole life. Perhaps he was highly respected ; and he now subjects himself to ridicule and contempt, from those who once held him in esti- mation. Perhaps he had fair prospects of advance- ment in the world, which now, by what are called his fanatical and over-righteous proceedings, he abandons. He once seemed happy in the enjoyment of all that the world could give him ; and now he is turning his back upon it all, and following after phantoms of his own imagination. What can all this mean ? Whence does it proceed ? Is it the effect of a disturbed ima- gination ? Is it from a desire after notoriety and distinction ? or is it the fruit of deliberate hypocrisy? What has he seen, what has he found, that can account for such a change in his conduct ?
Such questions will arise in the minds of many. Many indeed will not trouble themselves with making such inquiries. A shorter method with them is to revile and persecute, if by any means they may deter this supposed enthusiast from persisting in his folly : but others, who are more candid, will be glad of information, in order that they may be able to form some judgment about the proceedings which appear at first sight so unaccountable.
Now with respect to the former of these, the open persecutors, the Christian has nothing to do, but to commit his cause to God, and to go forward in hum- ble dependence upon him : but with respect to the
8S0 1 PETER, III. lo. [2102.
latter, he should gladly rise to the occasion, and " be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh him a reason of the hope that is in him with meekness and fear."
You will perceive that the principle by which the Christian is carried forward, is hope — " a hope that is within him." What the Christian's hope is, will form the first point for our inquiry. His duty in relation to it shall then, in the next place, be set before you.
I. What is the hope by which the Christian is carried forward ? Whatever may be thought of it, It is a glorious hope —
[It has respect to all that the soul of man can need, and to all that God himself can hestow. Contemplate man as a sinner, redeemed from sin and death through the hlood of God's only dear Son, who at the same time has purchased for him all the glory and felicity of heaven : hope fixes upon all these things as promised to the penitent and believing soul. Pardon and acceptance with a reconciled God ; fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and a constant communication of grace and peace out of his fulness; the preserving and sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit; victory over death and hell; and an everlasting possession of heaven as a rightful inherit- ance ; — all is apprehended by the believing Christian as his true and proper portion : by hope, he surveys it all, anticipates it all, enjoys it all. How wonderful ! how surpassing all con- ception ! Yet " to a lively hope of all these things is every child of God begotten a."]
It is a well-founded hope —
[It may well be asked, What warrant has the Christian to indulge such a hope as this? Is it a mere conceit of his own, an expectation unauthorized and presumptuous? No: it is a hope founded upon the promise and oath of the immutable Jehovah. God has revealed a way of salvation, through the blood and righteousness of his only-begotten Son ; and has promised to accept to mercy all who shall come to him in the name of Christ. To all such, without exception, he has engaged to give all the blessings both of grace and glory. And in rest- ing on his engagements, the believer cannot be deceived : for " God cannot lie," — " cannot deny himself."