Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear

Every culture seems to be afraid of something or someone. In the time of Jesus, the Hebrews feared and hated the Romans because of the ruthless might of the troops that were occupying their land. Eventually those fears were realized as Rome viciously destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

In the last century, before the fall of the Iron Curtain, the Western countries feared destruction from Soviet nuclear missiles. This fear was abated somewhat when the Iron Curtain fell.

Today there is growing alarm and outrage over drug and gang-related violence in cities. Is anyone safe any more on the city streets in any country? There is no country that is exempt from violence. Today, also, there is another greater fear looming in everyone’s mind. A new threat has emerged now that appears more deadly. The threat of a terrorist attack. Beginning with the Sept. 11 disaster in New York, and extending to Oct 12 in Bali, this threat is causing much more fear in the hearts of men than we saw previously. Everyone feels vulnerable. A day hardly goes by without the news reporters talking about possible terrorist attacks in the future and what the various countries are doing to protect themselves. This is bringing the countries together – they are uniting to fight a common enemy.

As time goes on and more is revealed about terrorist organizations and their activities, the fear is mounting to stupendous heights. When will it end?

Truly we are seeing the prophetic words written by Luke regarding the end of time on this planet being fulfilled. We see, “men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth:” Luke 21:26. Men’s hearts failing them due to fear. This verse has often said to have been begun to be fulfilled in the nuclear age -after the USA dropped the Atomic Bombs in Japan, men’s hearts are filled with fear. There is enough ammunition stored up on this planet to blow it up several times over. After 1989 when the tensions began to ease between East and West due to the fall of the Iron Curtain, people began to relax. The two superpowers were talking together about destroying some of their weaponry. This world was getting to be a little bit of a better place with the threat of all-out war easing.

Now it is becoming more tense again so, men’s hearts are failing them for fear today. During the war against Iraq by the U.S. in the early 1990’s, several people perished in Israel after Saddam Hussein sent his scud missiles there. How did these people die? Their hearts failed them – they were elderly people. It will not get any better as we near the end of time as the devil’s activities will increase with relentless fury.

Fear is mounting as the U.S.A is threatening Iraq. Fear and unrest are arising in many hearts of people once again. This lamb-like beast in Revelation 13 is speaking like a dragon. Whether the UN supports them or not, the U.S.A. is starting to show its strength and might. Why? Prophecy is being fulfilled. Will we ever have peace and harmony on this earth any more without any need for fear? Only with God in our hearts can this peace be cast out. Perfect love casteth out fear.

Although by serving God our lives may not be at risk on account of our faith, fear can yet still be a grave challenge to our faith as well. Fear is a natural reaction, but it springs from thoughts of what might happen. Our fears grow out of the anticipation of evil consequences. We foresee impending pain or disaster and fear takes root. During a war we can see and expect disasters, however with a terrorist attack, it can happen anywhere at any time, with no warning.

We are prone to make wrong choices when we are afraid. Though we seek to walk with the Lord, when a moment of fear seizes us, we often stumble and our footsteps falter. If we should hesitate, our fears gain the upper hand. Our courage dwindles until we no longer have the strength to resist. And instead of walking in faith, we find ourselves walking in fear.

Fear poses a threat to every Christian. Believers today need not fear losing their lives or homes if they take a stand for Christ. Yet the fear of ridicule, fear of what others may think, does drain the resolve of far too many believers. The threat fear poses is nothing new. In a very real sense the issue we face is: Which ‘fear’ will dominate our lives? The fear of others? Which includes, “A painful feeling of impending danger, evil or trouble. The feeling of being afraid.”

Or the fear of the Lord – a fear, which has no hint of terror but rather exists as an awed awareness that Christ, is real, and in charge of every circumstance of our lives?

PETER

Fear of the truth and its consequences can lead even the strongest among us to hide behind lies and half- truths. This is what the disciple Peter did. He appeared so confident earlier that evening, however when fear gripped him in the courtyard of the high priest’s house, he denied to a servant girl that he had any connection with Jesus.

Normally Peter would have paid little attention to the young woman, who was merely a doorkeeper in Caiaphas’ household. But having watched his Master’s arrest and perhaps having learned from John, who gained him access to the courtyard, about the events taking place inside, Peter told an outright lie. Apparently he feared what the girl might say or do if he admitted to being one of Jesus’ followers.

Peter illustrates the threat fear poses to our faith. Once we surrender to its influences, it becomes easier and easier to give in to fear. A pattern of avoidance develops. Prior to Jesus’ arrest, Peter had sworn that he was willing to give his life for Jesus. Indeed, it was Peter who had brashly attacked a member of the party that came to arrest Jesus. Yet here he was, mere hours later frightened enough to lie about being a disciple of Christ to a servant girl.

Peter’s first mistake was a failure to take Jesus’ advice. Jesus had urged the disciples to “pray that ye enter not into temptation.” Luke 22:40. He even specifically warned Peter of the testing that would come, saying, “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.” V. 31. But Peter and the other disciples did not heed Jesus’ advice. The result was that Peter denied Christ and fled with the rest of the disciples.

Do you have any places in your life that are so vulnerable that you would tell a lie – even to someone that you would normally regard as inconsequential – rather than reveal the truth? Like Peter, are you afraid of the consequences of being identified with Jesus? If so, you need a dose of the Spirit’s power to give you the courage to be honest.

Peter was deeply ashamed of his cowardice after he denied Christ three times. He even wondered if he was to be considered an apostle any more. Yet Jesus restored him with the words, “Lovest thou Me? Three times Christ asked Peter this question, and three times Peter answered that he did. With this he was reinstated as an apostle whose duty to Christ was to “feed my sheep.”

Jesus illustrated a truth with His words, a truth that we can take advantage of when we are tempted to give in to fear. ‘Perfect love eastern out fear.” 1 John 4:18. A profession of love countered each denial driven by fear. When Peter confronted danger as a servant of the Lord in the future, he would not succumb to fear. His love for Christ was too great. As Christ promised, Peter did eventually give his life for Christ. Fear could not make Peter falter this time, for it was a sacrifice of love.

ON THE SEA

While the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee one night with Jesus in their boat, a violent storm arose. The disciples became extremely fearful as they battled on in the storm, forgetting that the Prince of Peace was with them in the boat. The disciples didn’t feel secure, but they were since they had Jesus with them. He is our source of peace also. The One who calmed the sea with a word certainly has the power to calm the storm of anxieties in us. We need only turn in faith to Him.

FEAR OF POVERTY

Some people have a fear of poverty. While they have a good job today, there is always the possibility of losing our source of income and resources for reasons such as: ill health, divorce, death of a provider, loss of a job, natural disaster, changing markets, and other circumstances beyond our control. It is precisely the fear of this possibility that tempts us to worry so much and forget about trusting God. Why rely on Him if He can’t keep us from troubles like that Why not just rely on ourselves and trust to our own devices? All the while we forget that God never promised that we wouldn’t face hard times, and that He has many ways to help us through them when we do: family members, church members, neighbours, charities, inheritances, and even public agencies and non-profit groups.

Certainly we need to pay attention to our physical and material needs, but Jesus urged us to stop worrying about things, so that they dominate our lives and values. We can’t do that and serve God at the same time. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Instead, we need to redirect our focus onto God’s kingdom and righteousness. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Mat. 6:24, 33. That means adopting the values of Jesus and bringing Him into our work and lives. Jesus said that is what really matters.

ANANIAS

Saul had a reputation as a ruthless persecutor of Christians and this reputation preceded him to Damascus. Perhaps hearing that Saul was headed his way, Ananias mentally prepared himself to be hunted down, arrested, imprisoned, and ultimately martyred for following the new movement. In any case, he was no doubt stunned by the Lord’s command to go and meet this dangerous enemy face-to-face! His words of protest indicate fear. “Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:” Acts 9:13-15.

God commanded Ananias twice to go and Ananias did go to lay hands on Saul that he might receive the Holy Spirit and to baptise him. As a result, he witnessed the spiritual birth of early Christianity’s greatest spokesperson. He also saw a dramatic demonstration of the truth that God’s grace can overcome anyone’s background. Ananias’ story challenges believers today to consider: Who might God want us to approach with the message of His grace? Who that we know is the least likely to respond to Christ – yet just might if only someone would reach out in faith and obedience?

Even though afraid, Ananias possessed the commitment to obey God’s call. Do we? Where can we find the depth of commitment needed to give us victory against fear? And what is the source of this commitment? The answer is simple: love. Love for the Lord is the source of our commitment.

JEREMIAH’S DAY

It is a normal tendency to flee from danger by running to places of safety. However, real peace and security do not come from gates, guards, or guns. Ultimately, they come from God. The people of Jeremiah’s day lived in an increasingly dangerous world. The Assyrian empire was in decline, creating political instability in the Middle East. Seizing the opportunity, the Egyptians began to stage offensive campaigns from the south. Meanwhile, Babylon was emerging as a new superpower.

,:Yet in the midst of these danger signs, false prophets in Judah comforted the Israelites with words of peace. “For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” Jer. 8:11. The citizens took comfort in their walled cities, assuming that these defences would be a safe haven against hostile forces. “Why do we sit still? Assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the fenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the Lord our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the Lord.” Jer 8:14. But they were merely denying their true condition. The gravest danger the residents of Judah faced was one that they had created themselves, and one that they brought with them into their cities: they had turned their backs on God. “Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.” Jer 8:5. Repeated calls were made to bring them back to repentance. “How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them? Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.” Jer 8:8-12. Peace and refuge is found only in the love of Christ.

FALSE REFUGE

In our days, people have sought refuge from crime in the cities, by moving out to the suburban areas and to the country. Such attempts to curb violent crime are understandable, but .evil is not so easily excluded. Merely controlling our environment cannot control it. Ultimately evil is a matter of dealing with sin, whether personal or institutional, and that means repentance toward the Lord.

Inner peace cannot come just from shutting out evils from the outside; it also takes rooting out evils from the inside.

GUILTY CONSCIENCE

‘The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25.
Sin will definitely leave us fearful. Fear is often a direct result of sin. When a person’s life is in jeopardy, they often become fearful because they will have to face their Maker after death, and perhaps they have not lived according to His will.

And we read in Proverbs, ‘The wicked flee when no man pursueth:” Prov. 28:1. Fleeing from God will not bring relief in the judgment. Instead of running away from God, we should run to Him for mercy. When we repent of our sins, God will forgive us and soothe the fears that come from a guilty conscience. (1 John 1:9)
This can be a good fear if it brings us back to God, however this does not always happen.

When Herod heard of the works of Christ, he was exceedingly troubled. He thought that God had raised John from the dead, and sent him forth with still greater power to condemn sin. He was in constant fear that John would avenge his death by passing condemnation upon him and his house. Herod was reaping that which God had declared to be the result of a course of sin,~”a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: and thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shall have none assurance of thy life: in the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.” Deut. 28:65-67. The sinner’s own thoughts are his accusers; and there can be no torture keener than the stings of a guilty conscience, which give him no rest day nor night.” DA 223

“0 death, where is thy sting? 0 grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” I Corinthians 15:55,56.
The Christian Martyrs displayed no fear of death when tortured and condemned. They had made their peace with God.

“It was true that they had kept some timid souls through fear of death, from embracing but many, even of the most timid, received the truth, and immediately their fears and timidity left them, and as they witnessed the death of their brethren, and saw their firmness and patience, they knew that God and angels assisted them to endure such sufferings, and they grew bold and fearless. And when called to yield their own lives, they maintained their faith with such patience and firmness as caused even their murderers to tremble.” 1SG 125.

FEAR OF DEATH

A common fear is fear of death – those of us who know the state of the dead are in danger of becoming fearful of whether we will be saved or not. Some worry too much about it.

“We should not make self the center and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved. All this turns the soul away from the Source of our strength. Commit the keeping of your soul to God, and trust in Him. Talk and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in Him. Put away all doubt; dismiss your fears. Say with the apostle Paul, “I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him. If you will leave yourself in His hands, He will bring you off more than conqueror through Him that has loved you.” SC71

“I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4. Jesus delivered us from our what? From dangers? No, FEARS.,.. Though we may have fears that appear ridiculous to others, Jesus takes us seriously and will deliver us out of our fears. He doesn’t ridicule us, rather he pities us and wants to deliver us from them We have the example of Moses after he had fled to Midian. He portrayed fear when asked to go back to Egypt to deliver the Israelites, however the “The Lord strengthened him and removed his fears by saying to him, “Return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.” 3SG 19

“Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.” Psalm 27:3.

Are you fearful? Is your fear positive or negative?
Jacob was afraid of Esau because of his sin, however Esau was also fearful. The Lord appeared to Jacob and took away his fear, assuring him that He would be with him to deliver him.

“Those professed Christians who come up to that last fearful conflict unprepared will, in their despair, confess their sins in words of burning anguish, while the wicked exult over their distress. These confessions are of the same character as was that of Esau or of Judas. Those who make them, lament the result of transgression, but not its guilt. They feel no true contrition, no abhorrence of evil. They acknowledge their sin, through fear of punishment; but, like Pharaoh of old, they would return to their defiance of Heaven should the judgments be removed. GC 620

SAVED BY FEAR

Some people’s faith is completely built on fear – their faith is like fire insurance. This may be fine initially with some people, as long as this fear leads a person to find refuge in Jesus, who alone can take all fears away.
“And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 23

“Christ will impart to His messengers the same yearning love that He Himself has in seeking for the lost. We are not merely to say, “Come.” There are those who hear the call, but their ears are too dull to take in its meaning. Their eyes are too blind to see anything good in store for them. Many realize their great degradation. They say, I am not fit to be helped; leave me alone. But the workers must not desist. In tender, pitying love, lay hold of the discouraged and helpless ones. Give them your courage, your hope, your strength. By kindness compel them to come. “Of some have compassion, making a difference; and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire.” Jude 22,23. COL 235

“Press home upon the conscience the terrible results of the transgression of God’s law. Show that it is not God who causes pain and suffering, but that man through his own ignorance and sin has brought this condition upon himself.” 6T 279

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Mat. 10:28.

Jesus refines fear by rearranging our view so we look at things from God’s perspective. “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. “Luke 12:4-7. He wants to draw our attention to the true fear that we are to possess, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge:…” Proverbs 1:7. This is not a fear that keeps us cringing in anxiety, but a respect for who God is -the One who holds ultimate power. When we have a balanced view of God, it puts our thinking in a proper framework. We view everybody and everything in relation to God’s holiness, righteousness, and love. We can’t ignore physical threats and violence, but we dare not ignore the One who holds sway over our eternal destiny.

We are not alone when we are afraid. God is with us. He can give us the power to walk in faith.
We need motivation to resist our fears. That motivation comes from our love and respect for our heavenly Father. And what really stands in the way of commitment? For God has conquered even death on our behalf! The only thing that we have left to fear is failing in our commitment to Jesus, for then we risk missing out on the rich rewards the Lord has prepared for us.

“The unbelieving world will soon have something to think of besides their dress and appearance; and as their minds are torn from these things by distress and perplexity, they will have nothing to turn to. They are not prisoners of hope, and therefore do not turn to the Stronghold. Their hearts will fail them for repining and fear. They have not made God their refuge, and He will not be their consolation then, but will laugh at their calamity, and mock when their fear cometh. They have despised and trampled upon the truths of God’s word. They have indulged in extravagant dress, and have spent their lives in hilarity and glee. They have sown to the wind; they must reap the whirlwind.” IT 268/9.

May God help us to have the correct kind of fear and if we do not, we can find refuge in Jesus who will fill us with His perfect love, and cast out all fear. AMEN