" I see One
who is above me-- infinitely higher than I seem to be above you; and I fear Him.
The world's true
man is one who will not wrong another man. Some boldly remind God that they
would not steal a dime from their neighbor; yet these same people are thieves
in far greater matters than all the money their neighbor is worth. They steal
time from God and consistently conform the Sabbath to their personal plans
instead of His. They purpose to sanctify God's name and even pray often for His
will but their unholy hearts insist on compromise even though they know His
will is sanctification.
But God's true man
desires to be first true to the Father and then to man for His sake. For
example, when Joseph's brothers feared he might deal with them brutally he
freed them from suspicion: "This do," he responded, "and live,
for I fear God" Genesis 42:18. He reassured them, "Do not expect
anything from me except what is right. You might think because I am a man of
authority you would have no one to intercede for you if I take advantage. But I
see One who is above me-- infinitely higher than I seem to be above you; and I
fear Him."
One of the Greek
words for sincerity is an emphatic metaphor picturing something examined by the
light of the sun. For example, when you buy cloth you can take it out of the
artificial light and hold it up to the sun; if there is the tiniest hole or
flaw in the fabric you can see it there. Truly the godly soul looks up to
heaven and wants every thought, judgment, affection, and practice to stand
before the light which shines through Scripture. (This is the great lamp where
God has gathered all the light to guide Christians, as the sun in the sky
directs our bodies in our earthly walk.) If these agree with the Word and can
look on it without being put to shame, then we go on our way and nothing can
stop us. But if any one of them shuns the light of the Word-- as Adam tried to
hide from God-- then we are at journey's end.”
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete
Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell.
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