"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
Let us keep this in mind: Paul is writing to a minister (Timothy), whom the apostle deemed a sincere believer (and son in the faith). God's true churchmen should never fear condemnation, (because they are redeemed by the blood of Jesus); and they should never fear men, (because they are servants of the sovereign God).
Some of God's children have more "tender" constitutions (like Timo-
thy); and they are more vulnerable to the intimidation of the devil, the world, and people in general. Whether this is our situation, or not--let all of us who belong to Christ's church be strong, loving, and sound-minded, as a result of genuine faith.
[Puritan quote of the day: "It is not falling into sin that damns, but ly-
ing in it without repentance [that damns]." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]
