"When we lose
man's love we gain God's blessing. "Blessed are you, when men say all
manner of evil against you falsely, for my name's sake" Matthew 5:11.
God's providence is a perfect roof over our heads to defend us from the storm
of man's rage. But it is a different story when a saint is caught in sin and
gives the ungodly opportunity to speak evil of him. Man reviles and God frowns.
His Word does not open its shelter then to hide you from the assault of
reviling tongues. But when the wicked hate you for your holiness, God is bound
by promise to pay you love for their hatred and blessing for their cursing. Can
we ever complain about man's disrespect when obedience and holiness advance us to
a higher place in the King's favor?
When we lose the
world's love we gain its reverence and honor. The people who will not love you
because you are holy cannot help but respect and fear you for the same reason.
But sinners, you forfeit the reverence, which their consciences secretly paid
to your life. Like Samson, a Christian walking in the power of holiness is
greatly feared by the wicked; but if sin exposes an impotent spirit, he is
captured and falls under the lash of their tongues and the scorn of their
hearts.
Poverty and a low
class in society cannot make you contemptible as long as you keep on the
breastplate of righteousness. Majesty can reign in a holy heart even when it is
dressed in rags. For instance, the righteousness of David commanded reverence
from Saul, and the king paid homage to his exiled subject: "He wept, and
said to David, you are more righteous than I" 1 Samuel 24:16-17. And this
is as it should be-- carnal men must admit that they are overpowered by the
holy lives of saints. And this shall happen as you behave in that distinctive
and singular manner called for by God, doing things that even the best of our
unbelieving neighbors cannot do.”
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete
Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell.
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