The Full Assurance of Hope

 

 

The Full Assurance of Hope

 

Hebrews 6: 11-12

 

And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

 

There is full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22); and full assurance of understanding (Colossians 2:2), which bring in full assurance of hope.  The Word of God, both incarnate and written, are faith’s foundation and source of full assurance wherein the promise of God is set before us as the covenant of God (Genesis 12:3; 17:7; Galatians 3:18; Ephesians 2:12). The effectual nature of the covenant is presented to the view of faith in that God says, “I will” and “they shall”. When God says “I will” He declares His own eternal and immutable determinations. He declares His own resolutions which are not contingent upon anything outside Himself. When God says “they shall” He declares what shall be effects, of which He is the cause, through the fulfillment of His determinate counsel (Jeremiah 31: 31-34; Jeremiah 32: 38-41; Ezekiel 36: 25-27; Hebrews 8: 10-12).

 

The full assurance of understanding comes to the believer through the power of Spirit of God. As said the Apostle Paul: “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1: 15-18).

 

God visits His dear children of the covenant and gives them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ Jesus; thereby the eyes of their understanding are enlightened, and the children are given “full assurance of understanding”. They are made to know that the strength and infallibility of the covenant is established in the united love, purpose, and grace of the three persons of the Godhead: in the election of the Father, in redemption by the Son, and in the effectual call of the Spirit of God. Furthermore they are reminded that their works have no part in their justification, sanctification, redemption, or wisdom, for, Christ Jesus is all these things to His people. As said the Apostle Paul: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (I Corinthians 1:30). The full assurance of faith, and of understanding, lead to the full assurance of hope.

 

Full assurance of faith rests on the Word and promise of God. Full assurance of understanding rests on the doctrine of Christ. The doctrine of Christ  reveals the person and work of Jesus Christ, whereon is built the immutable stability of the kingdom of God, and the inheritance of the heirs of promise. Therefore the heirs of promise having a good hope through grace, that is, an assured hope, wait patiently for the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34). 

 

Both faith and understanding together bring in the full assurance of hope. Full assurance of hope patiently waits for that which faith has seen and understood. Full assurance of faith, and full assurance of understanding, are causes of full assurance of hope. The Apostle James said “I will show thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Works are proofs of the reality of saving faith, for “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). Works of righteousness are not our righteousness, nor are they our redemption, nor our sanctification, for, Jesus Christ alone is: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:5; I Corinthians 1:30). Works of righteousness, do not justify our persons, but works of righteousness justify our faith, by showing that it is truly the gift of God; and is therefore justifying faith and saving faith wherein the persons of the children of God are justified.  

 

The Apostle Paul would have these Hebrew Christians show the same diligence in ministering to the necessities of the saints, “to the full assurance of hope”. By showing the same diligence in ministering to the necessities of the saints the Hebrew Christians did show (to themselves) the evidences of the presence of the gift of God in themselves. As the Apostle James said: “I will show you my faith by my works” likewise these Hebrew Christians had shown (given evidences of) true saving faith to themselves and others. The showing of the same diligence in ministering to the saints, brought to the Hebrew Christians, evidences of true faith unto the full assurance of hope. As faith and understanding are causes of full assurance of salvation, similarly, showing the same diligence in ministering to the necessities of the saints is an evidential cause of the full assurance of hope.

 

The Apostle Paul had charged the Hebrew believers with dullness in hearing (Hebrews 5:11), which had resulted in their being babes in understanding. For when for the length of time they had been exposed to the gospel, they should have been teachers; they needed that someone teach them again the first principles of the oracles of God. As babes the Hebrews had need of the milk of the word; and not of strong meat, that is, they had no ability to ingest, digest, and be nourished by those doctrines of Christ that result in great strength in the faith. Because of lack of use, they did not have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5: 11-14). Therefore the Apostle exhorts the Hebrew Christians “That ye be not slothful” because slothful hearers are apt to be more slothful doers. But rather be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. It is through faith and patience that the ancients inherited the promises. Faith in the redeeming efficacy of the blood of Christ anchors the soul unto patience.

 

Christians know that the purpose of God cannot fail. The world does not know that, for it is of faith which is a spiritual substance of the kingdom of God, of which this world is ignorant (Hebrews 11:1). Christians have the promise of God: “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David (Christ Jesus: writer). His seed (believers: Galatians 3:7,16,29) shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah. (Psalm 89: 34-37). It is written; “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Romans 8: 24-25). And again it is written: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:1-5).    

 

AJ Ison

 

 

See the writers blog at www.hebrews915.blogspot.com, hear the true gospel preached at www.13thstbaptist.org webcasting live at listed service times.