VICTORIOUS FEAR   "this is the victory that overcometh the world" 1 John 5:4

                              Edward Proffitt, Th.D

 

.What kind of person does God use victoriously? It is evident that God's measuring rod is different than ours.  He has theability to look inside and see what we cannot see. In 1stCorinthians, chapter 1, the words "but God has chosen" isstated several times.  It is apparent by scripture thatGod does not chose wisdom as men count wisdom (1 Corinthians1). 

 

God has chosen what the world calls foolish to shame the wise, and weak things to confuse the mighty. There is no place for human pride in the presence of God. A quick glance through history will reveal that the persons God chose and used victoriously were different from the norm.  Just study the life of John Wesley, D. L. Moody, Billy Sunday, Spurgeon , Ironside, etc. 

 

What kind of a person does God victoriously use?  I wonder if one of the greatest criteria's is a person who is able to recognize and interpret fear.  There is a fear that is good, "fear not them which kill the body, but are notable to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body" (Matthew 10:28). 

 

There is a fear that brings torment and causes a person to pull away from obedience to God, "the fear of man bringeth a snare" (Proverbs29:25).  Then there is salvation fear, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12).  That("work out your own salvation with fear and trembling") usedto bother me, but it doesn't any more because I see thedefinite need of that verse in "Last Day" prophecy. 

 

I don' t fear my salvation, for biblical application allows me the "Born Again" experience.  I tremble at: "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (1 Timothy 4:1); I tremble at: "such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:13-15); I tremble at: "believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).  I have come to realize that the best and main way Satan has in his "Last Day"  deceit, is through religion, and that can cause trembling fearfulness. What kind of a person does God use victoriously?