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of I Thess. 4: 18, "Wherefore console one another with these words", has the hope of
resurrection in view. Those who sorrowed did not sorrow as those who had "no hope".
Because grace reigns we have good hope, and because we have such a hope we can
even "boast in tribulations also", for that hope maketh not ashamed. If this ministry of
consolation points us backward to the love of God in Christ, and forward to the good
hope through grace, has it nothing to say for the immediate present? Indeed it has:--
"Comfort (Console) your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work"
(II Thess. 2: 17).
It stablishes. Floods of sorrow cannot shift the feet from the great foundation. The
winds of adversity may blow, but that house is built upon the rock. Moreover, this
consolation is practical. It leads to "every good word and work". The Godward side
speaks of love and grace, the believer's side speaks of hope and work. We may therefore
speak of this ministry of consolation under three heads:--
THE PAST AND SOURCE.--The Lord, the Father, love and grace.
THE PRESENT AND RESULT.--Consoled hearts, stablished words and work.
THE FUTURE AND INCENTIVE.--The good hope.
We may see the same practical result of the doctrine of resurrection set out in
I Cor. 15: 20, 58:
"But now is Christ risen from the dead . . . . . therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye
stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord."
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