p. 2 | TRUE COURAGE by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Dec 27, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 52.

TRUE COURAGE.

By G.

FEAR is not always cowardice. The fear of the Lord is wisdom, and wisdom is always courageous. It is not foolhardy, but discretionary. “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.” The “fear of the Lord” that constitutes wisdom is not an ordinary dread, as of being struck by lightning, or of being buried by an earthquake; it is a fear lest in some unconscious manner one may be led to do evil. It is the fear of doing wrong, not because of consequent punishment, but because of a wrong influence upon others, which may mar the good work of purifying the universe, a consummation which a pure and all-wise Father has sacrificed so much to accomplish for the good of all His subjects. The fear of the Lord—the fear to do evil because it is evil—is the product of love, a love of that which is pure and right. One who is actuated by such a spirit knows that "the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Heb. 13:6.

Looking forward to the time when men should aim to carry out their human schemes by means of federations, leagues, unions, alliances, etc., the Lord says to His people: “Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.” Isa. 8:12, 13.

“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever” (Ps. 19:9), and the wisdom which is connected with this fear is “pure.” Through the wisdom given to Solomon we are told that “The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Yet the boldness, or courage, of the righteous is not manifested in loud words, or physical manifestation; not in a show of human power, or endeavor to overawe by a display of political influence. “The wisdom that is from above [that cometh of fearing the Lord] is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17.

All other wisdom, such as comes from the fear of man, or from human schemes to incite a fear of man, is not from above. It is “earthly, sensual, devilish.” James 3:15. So when we find men forming federations, even with the avowed purpose of working “reform,” by which they intend to secure human laws with which to overawe and compel the consciences of men, those who truly fear the Lord will not be influenced by any such attempts to establish righteousness. “Fear not, little flock; for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”