Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Faith is not opposed to the spirit, but is the child of it. Through the Spirit we wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. I. DECLARE THE CHRISTIAN'S HOPE. 1. Its singularity. Not founded on parentage, outward rites and ceremonies, moral virtues and spiritual excellencies; but upon Christ. 2. Its speciality. In grace alone — looking entirely to the free mercy of God. Nothing by merit. Nobody has any claim upon God. He blesses us because He is good, not because we are; He saves us because He is gracious, not because He sees any grace inherent in us. 3. Its ground. It is founded upon right — a solid base for hope. We expect to be saved by an act of justice as well as by a deed of mercy. By faith the righteousness of Christ becomes ours, so that we have a right to salvation (Romans 4:23, 24, 25; Romans 5:1, 2; Romans 8:1-4, 32-34). 4. Its substance. A triumphant death, a glorious eternity. 5. The posture which our hope takes up. Waiting. All is done; we have but to wait for the reward. To the garment which covers us we dare not think of adding a single thread. To the acceptance in which we stand before God, we cannot hope to add a single jewel. Why attempt it? Has not Jesus said, "It is finished?" Waiting implies continuance. Our faith is not for to-day and to-morrow only, but for eternity. II. THE RELATION OF THIS MATTER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. No division in the purposes and works of the three sacred Persons in the Trinity. Their will is one. That which glorifies Jesus cannot dishonour the Holy Spirit. 1. The faith which brings this righteousness is never exercised by any but those who are born of the Spirit. The new heart which the Spirit creates is the only soil in which faith will grow. 2. Faith for righteousness is based on the testimony of the Holy Spirit. 3. Simple faith is always the work of the Spirit. 4. When a man has believed, he obtains a great increase to his faith in Jesus by the work of the Spirit. 5. It is by the Spirit that we continue to exercise faith. III. CONCLUDING INFERENCES. 1. Whoever has this hope of righteousness by faith has the Spirit of God. He that believeth hath the witness in himself. He that believeth in Him is not condemned. 2. Wherever there is any other hope, or hope based upon anything else but this, the Spirit of God is not present. The Spirit will not bear witness to man's home-born presumptuous hopes, but only to the finished work of Jesus. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.WEB: For we, through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. |
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