THE FEAR OF GOD IS A GREAT GIFT

“After Satan has thrown the Christian into some filthy sin he asks God, "Is this the assurance You gave of heaven--and this the garment of salvation You put on him?

Psa. 147:11 (AMP) The Lord takes pleasure in those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy and loving-kindness. Too often children forget to respect their parents once their inheritance is settled. And though the doctrine of assurance cannot rightly be accused of producing such bitter fruit, we are too prone to abuse it. Even the best of saints may be led far into temptation after the love of God with eternal life has been passed over to them under the seal of hope's assurance, and may fall into great sin.

God opened the depths of His heart and demonstrated His love to David and Solomon in great measure before both of them gave into sin. A blot left on their history shows the somber shadows of their sin in the light of such divine love. And while their story leaves us examples of human frailty, it also portrays indelible assurance. Because this assurance spreads itself into highest rejoicing from the certainty of our expected glory, we must nourish a holy fear of God in our hearts.

The devil is delighted if he can cause saints to sin, but he glories most when he can lay them in the dirt in their Sunday clothes and make them defile their garments of salvation. If he succeeds, he tries to insult God by showing Him what a predicament His child is in and holds up the Christian's assurance for the world to laugh at. After Satan has thrown the Christian into some filthy sin he asks God, "Is this the assurance You gave him of heaven--and this the garment of salvation You put on him? Look where he has laid it--and what a mess he has made of your grace." We tremble at the thought of putting such blasphemy of our living God into the devil's mouth!

God's beloved children must not loiter in the sunshine of divine love but keep moving their feet in the path of duty because God has been so kind as to make our walk most full of cheer. But we must not lose our reverential fear of God in His familiarity with us.”

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617