The highest honor is to be allowed to be a servant of the Savior. The saved sinner has inward conflicts with his sins, the new man seeks to get victory over his old corrupt nature. Let's Christ pleasure be your pleasure. Fear God, and give glory to Him. The holy awe of God, the consciousness of His presence, the dread of doing anything contrary to His will. "But so did not I, because of the fear of God." *Nehemiah 5:15* Within the child of God, there is a holy fear which keeps him from doing the vile things he use to do. A Christian is not held back from sinning by a dread of punishment, but by a loving dread of offending so good and gracious a God as he has. Sin is food to the worldling, but poison to the Christian. When you do not fear God, you will have a great fear of men.
Our one object in life is God's glory, endeavoring to please Him, this is true worship. The fear of God keeps us from evil things that entice us. We must judge our conduct by thinking how it will appear in the sight of God. God says to fear Him - *Deuteronomy 4:19; 5:28; Jeremiah 32:39; Zephaniah 3:7*. The fear of God is true godliness. Endeavor to be the means of saving the souls of men. Do something personally for Christ. Endeavor to win souls for Christ. There is nothing like personally speaking to people about Christ, look them in the eye, talking of your own personal conversion, pleading with them turn from sin and to flee to Christ for refuge. Nearer communion to Christ. If you bear witness for the truth, you will be met with losses and crosses.
A good soldier of Jesus Christ will be brought under suspicion and misrepresented. You will lose friends and gain some better enemies. Keep your mouth around wicked, for they will surely misunderstand you. Jests and ridicule are poured upon Jesus' dear name. He that ridicules and persecutes the children of God, sticks his finger in God's eye. Have an eye to the truth amid all oppositions, controversies and contentions. Expect opposition of the most cruel kind. Have a quick ear, an obedient spirit, make haste to avow your allegiance to Christ. For the truth's sake, we will lose friendships, we must bear contempt, expect to be misunderstood, but Jesus is worth it all.
This is the very spirit of Christianity - to be able to bear and forbear, to be gentle, not to be selfish and self-seeking, or angry and malicious, but full of lowliness and meekness. Do not seek the highest place, choose the lowest place. If you go down, you shall ascend. Let your moderation - your gentleness, deference, forbearance - be known to all men. The wisest thing is to be guided by the directions of the Holy Ghost and God's words. Endeavor to glorify Christ. The best thing a man can ask for is God's mercy. The best preparation for the future is a prepared heart. Your best friends in this evil world are a good conscience, the Holy Bible, and the Holy Ghost. Nothing else but God's will, whatever God wants.
The very best kind of prayer is a silent panting, longing, sighing after Christ Himself, that cannot be expressed in words. Many people live only to win the esteem of their buddies. There's someone you look up to, and if you have that person's smile, you think all is well. You will be misjudged and unjustly condemned. You are not called to give an account to men, but God. Be little in your own esteem. Whenever you get one inch above the ground, you are inch too high. The world will point the finger at you, and laugh you to scorn. You have sinned, change your mind in reference to that sin; you have sinned, quit the sin, mourn over it, ask forgiveness for it. Mourn about yourself, but rejoice in Christ Jesus. The best and safest path is the path to Calvary. Really love Jesus, endeavor to be like Him in mind, heart, and daily walk.
The blood of Jesus is the best of all medicines for your sins. The cure for care is to rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ. Piety at home, uprightness in business. The best of all is this, God is with us. It is a horrible ting to sin against a kind and loving God. The very best sweetener for your troubles is to meditate upon Christ Jesus Himself. The life of an unsaved atheist, at its best, is horrible life, a breathing death. The highest privilege of this life is to be a part of God's family. Human nature is afraid of opposition, persecution, public opinion of their little circle, afraid of smart remarks that will be made if they stand up for Jesus, afraid of the cold shoulder, innuendoes, dark hints, afraid to be thought to be one of those backward vulgar people who believe on and follow Jesus Christ.
Men fear the censure of public opinion. Be not at all surprised when the world abuses, misrepresents and slanders you. You will have our motives misjudged. The Lord of glory was mocked, set at nought, made an object of ridicule, the jeer of sarcasm, and the target of scorn. Be faithful to God and your own conscience. As to the approval of the unsaved multitude, or worldly professors, do not care a flip about it. Most all men are slaves to their admirers. The love of worldly approval is the lost man's deadly bondage. Be not cowards, be not neutrals. Show your colors, don't fear opposition. Avow your faith in the atoning blood. Never get an inch beyond the Cross. Make the Cross your dwelling place until you die. Do more than your duty; keep moving for the Gospel and the Cross. Not for self, but for Christ. Hold High the Torch for Jesus.
