graphic: Martha G. Brady
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God,
which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
for God gave us a spirit not of fear
but of power and love and self-control.II Timothy 1:6-7 ESV
I recently heard someone talking about being scared. The illustration she gave showed that in that situation, scared was the only sensible thing to be!
I say that, not to give us an out when we should be trusting GOD instead of being paralyzed by fear, but rather to learn discernment. Am I in a situation where it is sensible to be scared? Maybe even wise? Or am I allowing fear to take over my life and keep me from living out the gospel? Am I living like an orphan who has no resources in her Kingly heavenly Father? Or am I living like the daughter of King Jesus who is secure in Christ?
The Gospel says that if you are in Christ, your sin and failure have already been paid for on the cross. It says that you are His child, secure in His covenant promises. You are not an orphan, but a daughter of the King of kings. Share on XThis Scripture was brought home to me many years ago as I often found myself living in bondage to fear. There were so many fears bouncing around inside my head.
- What will others think?
- What could happen to my family?
- What if I’m just a fake? ( a common refrain in my head when I am speaking about the truth of the Gospel.)
- These and other attacks and doubts came hounding me.
As I processed the words of this Scripture alongside my life, I realized that the spirit of fear did NOT come from GOD. He is the One who brings power, love, self-control and some translations say, a sound mind into the picture. Fear does not come from Him! How helpful to know. How helpful when I am struggling to live out the gospel. Frequently, taking the safe route is not the one to take. Yes, it saves me from fear naturally, but it also keeps me away from trusting GOD!
When do you struggle with fear? What are the situations that make you most vulnerable?
So, think through the times you struggle with fear. Where are the places it calls out to you? What is happening in your head when the spirit of fear is taking over your heart? Are you worried about what others are thinking as opposed with what GOD is thinking? Are you looking for GOD’s glory instead of your own? Are you wanting to quiet the voices in your head that are attacking your motives? Have you simply allowed yourself to get too tired and run down?
The truth of the Gospel is this: Christ already paid for all the sin and failure of your life on the cross! You are a secure child of His…as secure as the promises of GOD!
The Gospel says that if you are in Christ, your sin and failure have already been paid for on the cross. It says that you are His child, secure in His covenant promises. The gospel says that you are not an orphan, but the daughter of the King of kings. If you are in Christ, these two things are true.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus
from the law of sin and death.
For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do.
By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin,
he condemned sin in the flesh,
in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us,
who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.Romans 8:1-4 ESV
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,
through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises,
so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature,
having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.II Peter 1:3-4 ESV
Call to Action: Choose one of these passages or another that speaks to the same truth mentioned here, to memorize so you can meditate on it and have it in your mind when the Holy Spirit wants to interrupt the voices that are not speaking truth to your mind and heart.
