By Josephine Lim Weston
Weeks ago I was watching Pastor Joseph Prince's sermon on youtube with my son (he needs to watch either Little Baby Bum or Pastor Joseph Prince's sermon in order to finish his food) and in one of his sermons Pastor Joseph Prince said that “Fear is sin”. Well I might have heard it before but this time it settled in my heart and spirit that indeed it's so true fear causes us to doubt and unbelief is sin. So many times "Do not fear neither be afraid or discouraged" are mentioned in the Bible. It's a command of God hence His will for us. When God asks us “Not To” and if we still do it then it's sin. But of course God by His grace has been immensely forgiving.
Ever since I heard the sermon I no longer want to entertain any fearful or anxious thoughts. I feel a sense of peace just enveloped my heart. I decided henceforth that if any anxious or fearful thoughts come to my mind I will just rest on God's promises and surrender all my cares in silent prayer to Him.
Now I finally understand the meaning of this verse:
There is no fear in love. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of God’s love] (1 John 4:18). So if we say that we believe God loves us then (His) perfect love is more than able to cast out fear from the inside of us.
Also in 2 Timothy 1:7 (it says) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. God doesn't give us spirit of fear hence let us not acquire or buy into it instead let our mind be full of the revelation of God's love for us and find confident in it so we remain powerful, in love with God and have a sound mind.
It's definitely possible that we can be joyful and peaceful everyday and every moment because of the confidence found in this verse:
We have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but we have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “[a]Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15)
Let us develop a child-like faith towards God and His faithfulness to the promises in His word daily and live fearlessly and anxiety-free.
Matthew 18:2-4
2 And He (Jesus) called a little child to Himself and put him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all].
4 Whoever will humble himself therefore and become like this little child [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving] is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
So let us live fear free as that is the most Christ-honouring thing to do and rest on God's promises of which Christ died to make us co-heirs with Him so we can inherit freely God's blessings and answered prayers through the abundance of His grace.
Some of you might ask - So what should I do whenever I start to feel fearful and anxious? I know it's a sin but it's not easy to just switch off and stop being fearful. My answer and in fact God's answer is this:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 & 24
16 Rejoice always and delight in your faith; 17 be unceasing and persistent in prayer; 18 in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
24 Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you [to Himself for your salvation], and He will do it [He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own].
A beautiful song to share with all of you. Hope you are blessed and loved all over again as you listen to it:
You Will Always Be A Child In My Eyes by Ray Boltz:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QcBgG6JLl0
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