"I'm so thankful for the active obedience of Christ. No hope without it"

This quote by John Gresham Machen, a theologian and starting figure of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, reflects a deep doctrinal understanding rooted in Christian doctrine. To interpret this, we require to break down the crucial components: "active obedience of Christ" and "No hope without it."

"Active obedience of Christ" describes the life of ideal adherence to God's law by Jesus Christ. In Christian theology, especially from a Reformed viewpoint, this principle highlights Jesus not merely as a figure who craved humankind's sins however likewise as one who lived a life that completely satisfied the requirements of God's law. This obedience is thought about "active" due to the fact that it encompasses all the exemplary acts and fulfillment of the law by Christ throughout His earthly life. Unlike passive obedience, which refers to His suffering and death on the cross, active obedience is about living a sinless life. This is significant due to the fact that, according to Christian belief, Jesus' complete obedience is credited to followers, a doctrine referred to as "imputed righteousness."

The 2nd part, "No hope without it", stresses the necessity of this active obedience for Christian redemption and hope. In numerous Christian traditions, humankind can not accomplish righteousness or reconciliation with God through its own deeds due to inherent sinfulness. The hope and assurance of salvation, therefore, rest entirely on Christ's satisfaction of the law-- His active obedience. Without this, believers would have no grounds for hope because absolutely nothing they might do would fulfill God's requirements of holiness.

Therefore, Machen is expressing appreciation for Christ's life of best obedience, which, in Christian faith, provides the basis for hope and salvation for believers. The quote encapsulates a deep gratitude of the doctrinal belief that Jesus' complete compliance with God's law is necessary to the Christian understanding of redemption and hope in eternal life.