Chapter 39. The Spirit Of Fear Is A Great Gift Of God
CHAPTER 39.
THE SPIRIT OF FEAR IS A GREAT GIFT OF GOD
The apostle also says to Timothy, “For God has not given to us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”2Tim 1.7 Now in respect to this passage of the apostle, we must be on our guard against supposing that we have not received the spirit of the fear of God, which undoubtedly is a great gift of God, and concerning which the prophet Isaiah says, “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon you, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and piety, the spirit of the fear of the Lord.”Isa 11.2 We have not received the spirit of fear with which Peter denied Christ, but that fear concerning which Christ Himself says, “Fear Him who has power to destroy both soul and body in hell; indeed, I say to you, Fear Him.”Luk 12.5 This indeed He said, lest we should deny Him from the same fear which shook Peter; for he plainly wished such cowardice to be removed from us when, in the preceding passage, He said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.”Luk 12.4 It is not of this fear that we have received the spirit; but the spirit “of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”2Tim 1.7 And of this spirit the same Apostle Paul discourses to the Romans: “We glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation works patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope does not make ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, who is given to us.”Rom 5.4-5 Therefore, it is not by ourselves, but by the Holy Ghost who is given to us, that it comes to pass that through the very love which he shows us to be the gift of God, tribulation does not do away with patience, but rather it produces it. Again, he says to the Ephesians, “Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith.”Eph 6.23 These are great blessings! Let him tell us, however, where they come from: “From God the Father,” he says immediately afterwards, “and the Lord Jesus Christ.”Joh 1.5 These great blessings are therefore nothing else than God’s gifts to us.