---

It has cost many a soul a great struggle to obtain this hope, and when attained do not think that the conflict is over. It then becomes more fierce. Be not moved away, however —

I. FROM THE SUBJECT OF THAT HOPE. What is that? It is the hope —

1. Of full salvation, that we shall be "presented holy, unblameable," etc. "He that hath this hope in him purifieth himself," etc.

2. Of final perseverance, that He who has begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

3. Of the resurrection. Christ brought not one-half, but the whole trinity of our manhood.

4. Of the second advent.

5. Of being, not in purgatory, but for ever with the Lord.

II. FROM THE GROUND OF THAT HOPE.

1. The rich, free, sovereign grace of God. He who could save the dying thief can save all.

2. The merit of Christ, which is the only ground on which God saves men.

3. The Divine pledge that whosoever believeth in Christ shall not perish, etc.

4. The immutability of God.

5. The infallibility of the Scriptures.

III. How WE MAY BE MOVED AWAY FROM THAT HOPE.

1. By a conceit of ourselves. "Let him that thinketh he standeth," etc.

2. By despondency. Satan does not mind whether you jump up or jump down from the rock. The least sin ought to make you humble, the greatest ought not to make you despair.

3. By false teaching. If you have been persuaded that Christ is not Divine, or not the only Priest, or that you have merit of your own, you are removed.

4. By hoping to live by feelings instead of faith.

5. By a dazzle of intellect and "modern thought."

6. By persecution, sneers, and ridicule.

IV. WHY WE WILL NOT BE MOVED AWAY FROM THAT HOPE.

1. Because there is nothing to take its place.

2. Because if we did we should soon be in bondage.

3. Because we should become mean, miserable wretches who have deserted their Saviour.

4. Because it would be something like a soldier entrenched in an impregnable fortress accepting an invitation to come out.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

---

---

KJV: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

WEB: if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant.