The Bible says, “Whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23b).
And we all know that fear is not from faith. Fear and faith, both of them cannot reside in the same heart. One has to leave.
When we fear, many people try to comfort us by saying, “Do you know that there are 365 ‘Do not fear’ verses in the Bible? That means, we have one ‘do not fear’ for each day for the whole year.”
Hmm! I wish it was that easy.
But it is that easy.
“Fear is a sin. You have to stop it if you don’t want to sin against God.”
But if I can just stop sinning just like that, by my own power, why did God send His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to die on the cross for my sins? You know what I mean? If I can just identify the sin and am able to stop it, why do I need Jesus in my life?
Here is the truth: No power, in heaven or earth, can break the power of sin! Not even my own willpower! None! Except the blood of Jesus.
Okay, how can I apply the blood of Jesus in my life so this sin will be broken?
Easy!
By faith!
Hmm!
What kind of faith?
Listen what it says: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Galatians 5:6)
Faith that expresses itself through what? Through love! Love who? Love God!
So, Jesus said, “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”” (Mark 12:28-31)
Wow!
How can we love God? By knowing Him. How do we know Him? By reading the Bible because the word of God is God Himself and God is the word of God (John 1:1).
And here is the thing:
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
Then I need to pose one question for myself:
“So, whenever I fear, do I need to remind myself that my love for God is not complete or perfect? That means, when I fear, I am somehow doubting God and His words?”
What else?
Then Jesus’ message is “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).
If we love Jesus, if we trust what He says, if we believe in what He says, the fact that He is with us all the time, “who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Very easy! No one! Not even fear!
So, let’s rejoice in Jesus! When? All the time! (Philippians 4:4) ///