“Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who hath loved us, hath given us a good hope through grace.”
(2nd Thessalonians 2:16)

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I have a hope of eternal life and eternal glory. It is a “living hope” because my Lord Jesus lives! As my surety and substitute “He lives, and was dead, and behold He is alive forevermore.”

“He EVER LIVETH to make intercession for us.”

My hope is a “good hope” because the Lord Jesus and the Father gave it to me through grace. I did not earn it nor deserve it by my works. It is the free gift of His love and mercy in Christ. If my merit or works enter in at any point, it would not be a good hope. Therefore, if I am asked a reason for my hope, I would ground my reply in the three foundations of the Great Reformation.

1) THE SCRIPTURES ALONE

I believe the Word of God! I cannot trust my feelings, my thoughts, nor my experiences; but, I can rest my soul on His Word.

2) GRACE ALONE

Salvation is by God’s free and sovereign grace from its origination to its consummation. All that I am, have, know, or shall ever be is the gift of God to me. “A beggar poor, at mercy’s door, lies such a wretch as I.”

3) CHRIST ALONE 

“I know WHOM I have believed and I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to HIM against that day.” If I have believed and trusted Christ alone, then I am sure that the Father will put forth all His power to preserve me, that His Son be not dishonored.

This is indeed “a good hope through grace.”

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Henry Mahan – 1988