Posted on 12/27/2021 10:43:41 PM PST by Pilgrim's Progress
“Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief” (Proverbs 28:14).
It has been a very long time since I had any anxiety at all about my salvation. I’d have to go back to when I was in my early 20’s. I’m in my mid-60’s now. It has been that long since I harbored any real concern about whether I was going to Hell or not when I died. If you’ve talked to enough folks out on the streets, or doorsteps, you know that almost nobody out there has a clue where they will spend their eternity. When you ask them, they give you a rote answer at best because they have been trained to. As far as having any real hope, or any real expectation of salvation in their hearts, they have none.
““Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” Happy is the man that knows some stuff, that has some understanding, and remembers this wisdom and understanding. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” Right? God has manifested all of this in our Spirit. We have a sure hope and a sure expectation. Furthermore, that hope, and expectation is filled with details.
Look, I am not only saying that I know that I am saved; but I also know that I am eternally secure. And I know why? Because I was circumcised with a circumcision made without hands. I was placed into the body of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. I have been implanted in the love of God, and I cannot get out of the love of God. I am in Jesus Christ body. I have been sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. That has made me a mighty happy man!
Charles Spurgeon wrote:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning and the foundation of all true religion. Without a solemn awe and reverence of God there is no foothold for the more brilliant virtues. He whose soul does not worship will never live in holiness.
“He is happy who feels a jealous fear of doing wrong. Holy fear looks not only before it leaps, but even before it moves. It is afraid of error, afraid of neglecting duty, afraid of committing sin. It fears ill company, loose talk, and questionable policy, This does not make a man wretched, but it brings him happiness. The watchful sentinel is happier than the soldier who sleeps at his post. He who foreseeth evil and escapes it is happier than he who walks carelessly on and is destroyed.
“Fear of God is a quiet grace which leads a man along a choice road, of which it is written, “No lion shall be there, neither shall any ravenous beast go up thereon.” Fear of the very appearance of evil is a purifying principle, which enables a man, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to keep his garments unspotted from the world. Solomon had tried both worldliness and holy fear: in the one he found vanity, in the other happiness. Let us not repeat his trial but abide by his verdict.”
If anyone would like to be added to the ping list, please let me know either by post or by p.m.
For more books on all topics of the Bible, visit my web site at:
Bump.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.