Christian Hope

But, blessed be God, the hope of a Christian man carries him beyond the grave altogether, and connects him with those unseen and eternal realities which belong to him as risen with Christ. There is nothing down here worth hoping for. All is rapidly passing away. The fondest hopes we cherish, in reference to the creature, are sure to be disappointed. Paul was wise, therefore, when he said, "I have hope toward God." Had it been otherwise, his lot would have been most miserable. He had reached the end of all that this world could offer; he had proved the hollowness of man's fairest pretensions. What, therefore, remained for him, but to build all his hopes upon the One who quickens the dead—the living God—the God of resurrection. This is the hope of a genuine Christian man.
Finally, consider Paul's practice. "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men." Such is the practice of a Christian man. May it be ours, from day to day, in all the scenes of life. May we be able to carry ourselves in such a way as to give no offense —no just occasion to man, and to keep a clear, uncondemning conscience in the presence of God. We ought not to be satisfied with less than this.