Sin and the Fear in Sin

daily-devotionals

Peter has no sooner denied his master, but he goes out further from him. The action of the foot bears witness to the apostasy of the tongue. But why should Peter leave for fear of further examination, having already cleared himself and satisfied his examiners?

There is no security to be expected from denying the Lord. If Peter thought to find ease and safety by denying Christ, he soon discovered that he was more fearful than before. Peter tried to escape from the hands of men by running into the wrath of God. He who hides from danger in the hedge of wickedness will meet with the serpent instead of safety. Peter left the fireside company because he became suspicious of their fury and persecution. He sat boldly among them while he was in danger, but he has no sooner made his apology and he goes out into the porch.

The same fear that befell Peter here in denying his Saviour, befell Adam in the garden after denying his Maker. The next thing we read of them is their fear and flight (Genesis 3:10; cf. Matthew 26:71).

Dr. Edward Reynolds was born in 1599 in Southampton, England. He received his BA degree at Oxford in 1618. In 1622, before studying for his masters, Reynolds became a chaplain to the king and preacher at Lincoln’s Inn, London. The puritanical inclinations of Dr. Reynolds were well known; his character of piety and decorum were evident even in his college years. Edward Reynolds is known as the Bishop of Norfolk, but he was bishop for only the final fifteen years of his life and ministry. Prior to that he was the rector of Braunston, Northamptonshire, for almost thirty years. Although Reynolds was a Presbyterian by conviction, he had a reputation of moderation in his church polity. This was evidenced in his role in the Westminster Assembly. He was the only member to sit on all three of the major committees on the Confession of Faith, and with his moderate spirit provided balance in the discussions.
These devotions are taken from the works of Edward Reynolds. They have been edited for thinkgospel.com. © 2013 thinkgospel.