VARIOUS FEARS TO WHICH GOD’S PEOPLE ARE LIABLE

“Within were fears.” — 2 Cor. 7:5.

(Continued)

“Within are fears.” This fear, which is the fruit of unbelief, can transform into a multiplicity of shapes. Sometimes she assumes the mantle of pretended humility, and whispers that we must not give absolute credit to God’s covenant and promises, nor aspire to the comfort and enjoyment of them for fear of being presumptuous. At another time this fear accosts us in the garb of affected holiness. “You must bring.” she says, “a price in your hand to God the Father, or Christ’s redemption will profit you nothing. You must do good works in order to be accepted, and fulfil a string of terms and conditions, that you may be saved for your works.” But thou, O believer in Christ, flee these abominable doctrines. Hearken not to them, as you value the glory of God, the freeness of grace, the riches of Christ, and your own happiness. Remember that the conditions of fallen man’s salvation are two, and no more; namely, perfect atonement for sin, and perfect obedience to the law. Both these conditions Christ has completely fulfilled in the stead and for the infallible salvation of every soul that is led to the blood of Jesus for cleansing and to his righteousness for clothing. To what end, then, serves faith? To let thee into the knowledge, possession, and enjoyment of this free and finished redemption. And to what end serve good works? Not to entitle us to God’s favor, or even to pave, much less to pay our way to his kingdom; but to glorify his name, adorn his gospel, and evidence our adoption.

This fear very frequently mimics the voice of prudence, and advises us, as a friend, not to bring odium and inconveniences upon ourselves by too strict a moral walk and by a too resolute assertion of the doctrines of Christ. How bitterly did poor Peter weep and what rending agonies of heart did he feel after the arrow of recovering grace, shot from Christ, had pierced his inmost soul.

This fear is sometimes apt to beset the ministers of God’s Word. There are seasons of personal dryness and darkness, when fear, like an armed man, assaults the faith of God’s ambassadors. They are, perhaps, at a loss even for a subject to preach from. All resources seem to be shut up. They flit in their own minds from text to text and for a long time can fix on none. They cry in secret, “Lord, how can we spread the table for the people, except thou bring the venison to our hands?” or, with the disciples of old, “Whence shall we have bread for the multitude here in the wilderness?” It is kind and wise in the Holy Spirit to make us feel that we are nothing and that the excellency of the power is of him and not of us. The lesson of dependance upon his arm of grace alone is profitable, though not always palatable to our proud, deceitful hearts. To the glory of the divine faithfulness I say it, that, for my own part, some of my happiest times in the pulpit have been when I have gone up the stairs with trembling knees and a dejected spirit. These are not desirable trials; but they redound to the praise of Him who has said, “Without me ye can do nothing,” and whose almighty love can elicit light out of darkness, even out of darkness that may be felt. No man appears to have been more subject to fears and cares than David, though he had been enabled to vanquish a lion and to slay a giant. What course did he take for relief in his hours of distress? He prayed to him that is Mighty to save and his success was answerable: “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Ps. 34:4.)

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