According to God's Word, genuine Christian hope has many and im­portant uses. It does great things for the soul. This article explores some of its uses.

Hope consists of desire and expec­tation. It is the opposite of fear, which is composed of aversion and expecta­tion. Richard Baxter says, "Hope is nothing but a desirous expectation." It is also the opposite of despair, which though it desires, does not expect. When we regard anything as impossi­ble, we cannot hope for it, although we may greatly wish for it. As to the gen­eral nature of hope there is no dispute.

"We are saved by hope." We are rescued from the dire influences of despair, we are aroused and animated in our whole course, and are finally made victori­ous by the power of hope. This is one of the great bands which holds to­gether the church of God. As "there is one body and one Spirit, . . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all," so also "ye are called in one hope of your calling."

This article shows the need for the work of Christ as the Mediator. It also explains the nature of his work as Mediator and the way this applies to the Christian life.