We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ . It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Hope produces joy.
Hope for the Christian is increased as he reflects on the activities of God in the Scriptures. As hope produces holiness, holiness strengthens hope. Our hope becomes more certain as we grow in holiness. The Puritans properly understood hope as assurance . Assurance of salvation is given to those with genuine faith and sincere love, who endeavor to obey God.