Soul-Purifying
True hope leads to soul-purification, causing us to strive for holiness and sanctification.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that true hope is soul-purifying, leading believers to pursue holiness and sanctification. He explains that those who have the strongest hope of salvation are diligent in their efforts to be sanctified, as hope keeps their focus on God, Christ, and the Word. This hope ignites a fire within the soul, burning away corruptions and drawing purifying strength from Christ, the ultimate source of purity. Ultimately, hope inspires believers to aspire to be like Christ in glory.
Text
"And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies
himself just as He is pure." 1 John 3:3
True hope is soul-purifying. It runs out into holiness.
He who has the purest and strongest hopes of being
saved, is most studious and laborious to be sanctified.
Now hope purifies the heart and life thus--by keeping
the purest objects, as God, Christ, the word, and the
soul together; and by making the soul serious and
conscientious in the use of all soul-purifying means;
and by being a fire in the soul to burn up all those
corruptions and principles of darkness which are
contrary to that purity and glory, which hope has in
her eye; and by working the soul to lean upon Christ,
to live in Christ, and to draw purifying virtue from
Christ--who is the spring and fountain of all purity
and sanctity. And thus hope purifies those who
expect to be like Christ in glory.
Sermon Outline
- True Hope is Soul-Purifying
- How Hope Purifies the Heart and Life
- Hope's Power to Purify
- Leaning on Christ for purity
- Living in Christ for sanctity
- Drawing virtue from Christ
Key Quotes
“True hope is soul-purifying. It runs out into holiness.” — Thomas Brooks
“He who has the purest and strongest hopes of being saved, is most studious and laborious to be sanctified.” — Thomas Brooks
“And thus hope purifies those who expect to be like Christ in glory.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Strive for sanctification by leaning on Christ and living in Him.
- Use soul-purifying means conscientiously to burn up corruption and darkness.
- Draw purifying virtue from Christ to achieve purity and sanctity.