Colossians 1:23 “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;”
To “continue in the faith grounded and settled” is to “be not moved away from the hope of the gospel”. It is call “the hope of the gospel” because “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1); that is, “the gospel” of our Lord Jesus Christ lifts us from despair, strengthens our weaknesses, and illuminates us with wisdom concerning the “exceeding great and precious promises” (II Peter 1:4) that are given to us by the “God, that cannot lie” (Titus 1:2), “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen” (II Corinthians 1:20). These blessed “promises” include the Truth that “God” hath “chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him” (James 2:5) “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” (I John 2:25). Furthermore, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” (I John 4:9); and He “hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (II Timothy 1:9). Thus, we live and daily rejoice “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2) for “our Saviour Jesus Christ … hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (II Timothy 1:10). Now, we proclaim, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (I John 3:1)!