Fearless

So, there’s a lot of fear going around these days.  I get it.  This is a strange, difficult and challenging time; something we aren’t used to dealing with in our normal, everyday lives.  I know I have had to draw on my Faith consistently every time a new press conference or news report drops.

But I am seeing a new side to this fear business.  One that the enemy of our soul is desperately trying to use to tear us apart.  I saw it while reading 1 John 4:18 that says:

“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.”

John is talking about God’s perfect love.  The kind of love that Romans says is “shed abroad in our hearts”.  The kind of love that gives us the confidence and joy to know that there is no future or eternal punishment waiting for us because of who we are in Christ.  And if we don’t have to fear death, we don’t have to fear anything. 

Perfect love drives out fear, but I saw this week that it can also work in reverse: fear can drive out love.  Take a look at social media, the news, or even a conversation in the grocery store and you can see this happening. 

But as Christians, we have a wonderful opportunity during this challenging time.  We can show the world that the God kind of love drives out fear, both now and forever, and can turn what the enemy meant for evil into one of the greatest outpourings of God’s Grace and Love we have ever seen.  I love the Passion translation of Colossians 4:5-6:

“Walk in the wisdom of God as you live before the unbelievers, and make it your duty to make him known. Let every word you speak be drenched with grace and tempered with truth and clarity. For then you will be prepared to give a respectful answer to anyone who asks about your faith.”

Let’s do that.  With wisdom and grace, let’s be fearless and watch God work.

Tyler T.