Here the people of God live in a state of warfare—­conflict with many enemies and suffer many sorrows.  Often they are called to suffer for Christ—­because they are numbered among his followers and wear his livery.

If any of these things move us, if we are afraid to encounter these hardships, are discouraged in our Christian course and induced to turn back from after Christ, our fear will destroy us—­it will cause us to have our part in the lake of fire—­which is the second death.

This hath happened to some who have assumed the Christian name, and for a time appeared among Christ’s disciples!  They have forsaken him.

There is an hour of temptation, which trieth those who dwell on the earth; many fail in the trying hour.  Attacked by enemies and assaulted by temptations, they yield themselves captives to their spiritual enemies.  This happens to some who had “heard the word and received it with joy—­in the time of temptation, they are offended and fall away.”  Wanting courage to stand on the Lord’s side, when it exposes them to reproach and sufferings, they suffer themselves to be overcome of evil, and fall from their stedfastness.  These are Christians only in name.  The real Christian possesseth a noble courage which raiseth him superior to every trial, and enableth him to subdue every enemy.  The storms of temptation beat upon him; but he stands firm—­resists the powers of darkness and his own corruptions—­is moved neither by the frowns, nor flatteries of the world.  Like an eminent saint of old, he “hath respect to the recompence of reward,” keeps heaven in his eye, and presseth on in his way thither.  “Through Christ strengthening him, he doth all things and abounds—­holds out to the end and is made more than a conqueror.”

To such “pertain the promises—­they overcome—­will inherit all things.  God will be their God, and they will be his children.”

But those who cannot, “endure hardness as good soldiers”—­who faint, and fail in the day of trial, suffering the enemy to prevail, and themselves to be overcome, “will lose that which they have wrought—­ others will take their crowns, and they will have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone:  Which is the second death.”

Thus we have seen who are intended by the fearful, and their sad state.  Influenced by fear which drives them from the Savior; or leads them to explain away God’s law; or drive them to duty in order to atone for sin; or too timid to take up the cross and follow Christ, they have no part in him.  They are afraid of misery; and their fear indulged, will bring misery upon them far beyond their fear!  For “who knows the power of God’s anger.”

Before us the door of mercy is yet open.  We are invited to Christ for life.  God hath no pleasure in the death of sinners.  He is ready to receive the returning prodigal.  His arm is not shortened that it cannot save.  He offers pardon and peace to the chief of sinners.  The deeper sense we have of sin, the more we abhor ourselves for sin, the more welcome to his grace.