Fearing God Alone
"Pass
the time of your sojourning here in fear."
-I PETER 1:17 [KJV]
-I PETER 1:17 [KJV]
Our
life here is but a vapour. We are but pilgrims and strangers on this
earthly ball, mere sojourners, without fixed or settled habitation,
and passing through this world as not our home or resting-place. The
Apostle, therefore, bids us pass this time, whether long or short, of
our earthly sojourn, under the influence and in the exercise of godly
fear. We are surrounded with enemies, all seeking, as it were, our
life, and therefore we are called upon to move with great caution,
knowing how soon we may slip and fall, and thus wound our own
consciences, grieve our friends, gratify our enemies, and bring upon
ourselves a cloud of darkness which may long hover over our souls.
Our
life here below is not one of ease and quiet, but a warfare, a
conflict, a race, a wrestling not with flesh and blood alone, but
with principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high
places. We have to dread ourselves more than anything or anybody
else, and to view our flesh as our greatest enemy. This fear is not a
slavish, legal fear, such as that which John speaks of, and of which
he says that "it hath torment," but that holy,
godly, and filial fear which is the firstfruit and mark of covenant
grace, and is "a fountain of life, to depart from the snares
of death." How needful, then, is it to pass the time of our
sojourning here in the exercise of this godly, reverential fear! And
let no one think that this filial fear is inconsistent with faith
even in its highest risings, or with love in its sweetest enjoyments.
-Gospel
report by preacher J.C. Philpot (1802-1869 A.D.)
April
23rd, EARS FROM HARVESTED SHEAVES
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