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. COWARDICE. "For God gave us not a spirit of cowardice, but that of power and of love and of soundness of mind. Therefore do not become ashamed of the witness about our Lord... but take your part in suffering evil for the good news according to the power of God." (From 2 Tim 1:7,8). The Christ said: "I have said these things to you that by means of me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage! I have conquered the world." (John 16:33). 'He who has conquered his own coward spirit has conquered the whole outward world... that however we may fancy ourselves alone on the side of good, the King and the Lord of men is nowhere without His witnesses; for in every society, however seemingly corrupt and Godless, there are those who have not bowed the knee to baal.' (T. Hughes). "If anyone is ashamed of me and mine in this wicked and Godless age, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him, when he comes in the glory of his Father and of the holy angels." (Mark 8:38 NEB). "Even now, my children, dwell in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming". (1 John 2:28 NEB). "See to it, brothers, that no one among you has the wicked, faithless heart of a deserter from the Living God; but day by day... encourage one another, so that no one of you is made stubborn by the wiles of sin. For we have become Christ's partners if only we keep our original confidence firm to the end." (From Heb 3:12-15 NEB).
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