Christian fidelity.
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith," etc.
I. THE EXHORTATION TO CHRISTIAN FIDELITY. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope, that it waver not."
1. The object of our hope. That in Christ we have at present forgiveness of our sins, the right of approach unto God, sanctifying influences, etc. That through Christ we shall attain unto the future and perfect rest—the sabbath-keeping which remains for the people of God. Or in brief, that Jesus is the Christ of God, and that in him we have salvation in its beginnings here and now, and shall have it in perfection hereafter.
2. The compression of our hope.
(a) Our own true interests enforce the exhortation of the text.
(b) The great company of the glorified call upon us to "hold fast the confession of our hope," etc. (cf. Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 6:12).
(c) God himself summons us to fidelity and perseverance. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life." "Hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown."
II. THE ENCOURAGEMENT TO CHRISTIAN FIDELITY. "For he is faithful that promised." Many are the promises which God has made to his people. Promises to the penitent, the tempted, the afflicted, the mourner, the weak, the perplexed, etc. Now, all these promises are perfectly reliable. Of this we have many guarantees; e.g.:
1. His infinite intelligence. "When he promises anything, he sees everything which may hinder, and everything which may promote the execution of it, so that he cannot discover anything afterwards that may move him to take up after-thoughts: he hath more wisdom than to promise anything which he knows he cannot accomplish."
2. His almighty power. He is able to perform all and everything that he has promised. "Trust ye in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength."
3. His perfect faithfulness. "It is impossible for God to lie" (Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2). "God is not a man, that he should lie," etc. (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29). "With him can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning" (James 1:17). "How many soever be the promises of God, in Jesus Christ is the yea," etc. (2 Corinthians 1:20). The fidelity of God to his glorious promises should ensure our fidelity in the confession of our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.—W.J.