Striking Fear

Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” 

Revelation 21:7-8 NIV

Have you ever been afraid? If so, this Scripture could strike fear into your heart and mind. Pun intended. Whoever thought that being cowardly and unbelieving would be listed with the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars? 

In the KJV and several others, cowardly is translated as fearful; it is the Greek word 'deilos' which, according to the Strong's concordance means 'timid, fearful, and by implication, faithless'. Remember, recently we were reminded that without faith it is impossible to please God. (See How Are We Doing? 10/27/17)

Interestingly, this particular Greek word is only used three times in the New Testament, and two of those times were when Christ was asleep in the boat and the disciples woke Him asking if He cared that they were going to drown (Matthew 8:26, Mark 4:40). The third is in our Promise for Today.  Its full implication is more about believers who because of fear give way under persecutions and renounce their beliefs.

As Christians, we have been taught that Faith is the opposite of fear - and that's true - but there is more. Peace and confidence are also opposite of fear. Jesus promises us His peace, not the world's version (John 14:27), and provides us with the confidence that whatever we ask according to His will, He hears us (1st John 5:14). Additionally, trust, boldness and security are opposites of fear (Psalm 91:1-2).  When we follow God wholeheartedly, He is our strength. The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). If you've been a Christian for any length of time, you have heard that, and also that in our weakness, He is strength (2nd Corinthians 12:9). Not that we are to be weak, but that when we are, we go to God for strength. It, too, is the opposite of fear. 

As you can clearly see, all these things in their truest form are found only in Christ. So how do we go about striking fear FROM our lives? 

1st John 5:5 provides the perfect response,  Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Prayer:

Father, 
           Forgive us for being feckless and fearful. We believe that Jesus is Your Son. Help us to see clearly all that is ours through the redemptive power of Christ. Grow us up to be the sons and daughters You created us to be, according to Your plan. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen