1 Peter 1:17

DISCOURSE: 2387
THE NECESSITY OF HOLY PEAR

1 Peter 1:17. If ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.

CHRISTIANS possess many privileges by means of their relation to God; yet it is not their privileges, but their practical improvement of them, that will determine their state in the eternal world. They are called to be holy after the example of their God; and they must be conformed to his image, if they would be partakers of his glory. There will be no more partiality shewn to them than to others in the day of judgment. God will determine the fate of all by their actions; and the condition for which they are meet, shall be the condition allotted them to all eternity. St. Peter, inculcating the need of holy fear, insists upon it particularly as conducing to fit us for that strict account to which we shall all be very shortly called. In discoursing on his words we shall shew,

I. The impartiality of the future judgment—

The children of God maintain communion with God as their Father in Christ—
[The Apostle speaks of Christians as “obedient children;” and as calling upon the Father for a supply of their daily wants. This is the privilege of all true Christians; “a spirit of adoption is given them, that they may cry, Abba, Father;” and, because they are children, they may expect to receive all the glory of heaven as their inheritance — — —]
Nevertheless they will experience no partiality in the day of judgment—
[Among men it is but too common for parents to feel an undue bias in concerns relating to their children. But God has established one mode of procedure for all. His written law is the standard to which every thing shall be referred. The principles from which our actions flowed, the manner in which they were performed, and the end for which they were done, will be minutely investigated, and a sentence passed upon us according to their real quality. There will be no difference in this respect between Jew or Gentile, rich or poor; nor will any regard be shewn to men’s professions: it will be to no purpose to plead, “that they had Abraham to their Father,” or that they had “cast out devils in the name of Christ;” the one inquiry will be, Were ye holy? and according as this appears, their state will be for ever fixed.]
Interested as we are in the event of that day, let us inquire into,

II.

The influence which this consideration should have upon us—

God requires us to pass our short span of life in fear—
[We are “sojourners in this world, as all our fathers were.” It is but a short time that any of us have to live, and then we shall be removed to our long home. The present state is a state of probation, a moment allotted us to prepare for eternity. Under such circumstances we should be “working out our salvation with fear and trembling.” Not that we should indulge a servile dread of God as a hard master, and a vindictive judge, but a holy reverential fear of offending him, and a tender concern to please him in all things. This is “the fear in which we should walk all the day long.”]
Nor can any thing tend more to produce this fear in us than the consideration now before us—
[Shall I be judged according to my works? Will every action, word, and thought, be weighed in the balance of the sanctuary? Will all my motives be inspected by Him, who “searcheth the heart, and weigheth the spirits?” Surely I have need to fear, lest some hidden abomination lurk within me, and lest I should be “speaking peace to my soul when there is no peace.” I need be studious to please him, whose favour or displeasure are of such importance to my soul. If I must stand or fall for eternity, it becomes me to redouble my care.]

Now, methinks, you will say, ‘Give me some special directions, that I may know how to carry into effect the Apostle’s advice.’ This I will endeavour to do in four particulars.
1.

Be watchful against all occasions of sin—

[Our Lord has taught us to “pray lest we enter into temptation;” for in temptation how rarely do we retain our integrity! Let not those pretend to fear God, who needlessly expose themselves to the assaults of Satan. If we would “keep our garments clean,” we must be careful where, and with whom we walk. Does the command to “come out from the world” appear severe? it is not severe, but merciful, and necessary. If I bade you not go where the plague was raging, would you account that severe? May God enable all of you carefully to obey it, that you may escape infection, and live!]

2. Reflect frequently on the strictness of that scrutiny which we must undergo—

[When tempted to sin, let us not ask, What will the world say? but, How will this appear in God’s eyes? How will this affect my eternal state? Apply this thought to your duties as well as to your temptations; How will this service appear when brought to the touchstone of God’s law? If this be done, too many of us will have to rank their services among their greatest sins.]

3. Apply continually to the blood of Christ for pardon—

[However circumspect we be, our feet will contract some defilement in this polluted world; and “if Christ wash us not, we can have no part with him.” Indeed our very tears need to be washed, and our repentances to be repented of: nor is there any fountain but that of the Redeemer’s blood, that can ever cleanse us. There, however, “sins even of a crimson die may be made white as snow.” Let there then be no hour wherein we do not bathe in that fountain, lest sin be found upon us in the day that we give up our account to God.]

4. Be much in prayer for the direction and assistance of the Holy Spirit—

[In vain will be all our fear and caution, if God do not both direct and uphold us: if he leave us for one moment, we fall; “without him we can do nothing.” Let us then be often praying, “Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe.” Thus shall we escape the snares that are laid for our feet, and “be preserved blameless unto his heavenly kingdom.”]