Do Not Fear

With God’s love there is no need to fear.  No matter what we are going through, God is always there to guide us through it.  Those of us who have faith in Christ know that we have eternal life with Him.  So why do we fear?

1 John 4:17-19

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.

2 Timothy 1:7-10

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel

This is more than being strong through trials.  It is also about stepping out in faith.  Last week our church had a “global impact week” with a focus on the missionaries throughout the world.  Many go into dangerous situations to protect those that are vulnerable and to spread God’s hope where few people have hope.  We are to be ambassadors for Christ.  We may not be called to go to a third world country to share the truth, but what about with our families, friends, coworkers?  We (I) are often afraid to speak up  and share our faith even in this country where persecution is minor (for now).  I pray for more boldness that those we care about will have that hope that is in Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Philippians 1:20-21

according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Isaiah 51:7-8

“Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, And the worm will eat them like wool; But My righteousness will be forever, And My salvation from generation to generation.”

God has given us such a great gift.  He has sent His Son to pay for our sins and faith to believe so that we may have eternal life.  It’s mind boggling that people get offended by sharing His good news.  And it is hard to understand why we are so timid to share it.  Yet, here we are.  The world and the devil do not want us to share.  They want us to be afraid.  But, God is with us.  Why don’t we trust Him more?  I love the quote in “God’s Not Dead 2.”  The teacher in this story says something like, “I would rather follow God and be judged by the world, than to follow the world and be judged by God.”  He gave so much for us.  Let us show our love for Him.  Let us follow and obey him.  We already have everything we need.  We have Christ!

Hebrews 13:5-6

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.” So we may boldly say: “THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I WILL NOT FEAR. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?”

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Not only do we who believe have Christ, but we have the Holy Spirit living in us.  We have newness of life.  Why should we be afraid if we have the power of the Holy Spirit in us, who raised Jesus from the dead?

Romans 8:10-18

And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

And we have that hope.  We know that nothing on this earth will compare to what is to come when we get to heaven.  How awesome is that?  The glory which shall be revealed in us!