This world can be a scary place. I was watching an old movie which depicted a neighborhood in the forties and fifties. Children played on the streets and people didn’t lock their doors. Children walked to school. Neighbors knew each other and looked out for one another. I’m not saying that crime did not exist during this time period, but it seems that people cared about each other more. Unfortunately, the more a culture moves away from the principles of Biblical Christianity, which Jesus said is summed up as “love God first and love your neighbor like you love yourself,” the more we are plunged into fear.
Why is this?
Because the opposite of love is not hate; it’s selfishness.
Without a purpose GREATER than ourselves, we are naturally more self-serving. Selfishness never satisfies us. Thus, this mindset breeds despair, dissatisfaction, and indeed—makes us live in fear. The command of Jesus to love God and love others was not a new commandment. Over 3,000 years ago, God warned Israel about the consequences of failing to live in loving obedience to Him:
If you do not CAREFULLY observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, THE Lord YOUR GOD, then the Lord will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other gods, which neither you nor your fathers have known—wood and stone.
And among those nations you shall find no rest, nor shall the sole of your foot have a resting place; but there the Lord will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and anguish of soul.
Your life shall hang in doubt before you; you shall FEAR day and night, and have NO assurance of LIFE.
In the morning you shall say, “Oh, that it were evening!” And at evening you shall say, “Oh, that it were morning!” because of the FEAR which TERRIFIES your heart, and because of the sight which your eyes see.
Deuteronomy 28:58, 64-67
My friend, you do NOT have to live in FEAR!
When we are born again, Christ lives in our soul. He IS love. To “fear” God, is to love Him more than we love anything or anyone else. When our fear of being far from God is our GREATEST fear, then we live in loving obedience and we KNOW we are encircled with His powerful love.
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.
I John 4:17-19
God’s presence is our best defense against fear; He fears nothing.
When we are captivated by God’s presence, our life becomes a refuge of love and provides hope for others.
We are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. (II Corinthians 2:15)
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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