"I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid . . . "
When God comforts His churchmen, as He always does in the atonement given them in Christ, they (the believers) have no ground for fear (especially of man). And the reason for this is because of *Who* it is that consoles and strengthens our hearts: it is not another fellow-sinner, nor an angel, nor anyone else--but God Himself.
When we rest, by faith, in Jesus' righteousness alone (as our own)--then, how can we justify fearing man or anything else? After all, if God is satisfied with us, in Christ, who cares what anyone else thinks?
[Puritan quote of the day: "If God delivers you from any of your sins, He must do such work as is greater than the making of heaven and earth." --Jeremiah Burroughs, in "Gospel Remission"]
