I did a quick search in the King James Bible for the phrase, "fear not." There were more than 60 citations. Seems like something we should look at. "Fear not." Interestingly, our culture thrives on fear even while it militates against "terrorism." So much news, so many ads, so much of life is predicated on "be afraid; be very, very afraid." From "Use our product or you could suffer consequences" to "Don't eat that or you could die" (with the necessary follow on "Don't fail to eat that or you could die") to "They're out to get you" or "He'll destroy democracy" or ... you get the idea ... we function on fear. If there is no crisis, there is no motive force. It feels like the primary aim of our news media is precisely terrorism -- "Make the public afraid of the things we don't want them to like." Fear is an everyday component of our lives.
The message of Scripture, over against so much of what our world is telling us, is "Fear not." It isn't a message that there is nothing to fear. In fact, Scripture considers it a point of error that "There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Psa 36:1; Rom 3:18). That is, a primary sin of the natural human being is no fear ... of God. But when that fear of the wrath of a righteous God in comparison to our unrighteousness drives us to our knees, we receive peace with God (Rom 5:1). In that condition -- in the saving hands of our Lord Jesus -- we have no need of fear (Rom 8:31-39). "Fear not," is a glorious option for the believer, and only for the believer.
Jesus repeatedly told His disciples, "Fear not." The reason they didn't need to fear was simply that Jesus was there. Since we have the promise that He is always with us (Matt 28:20; Heb 13:5), it would follow that we, too, can "fear not." Which makes me consider our own approach to so much. Are we communicating crisis and fear to people (think politics, economics, societal woes, etc.) when we're supposed to be leading to the place where they can "fear not"?
5 comments:
It is so great that we can abandon all fear because of the One that has promised to keep us.
Since “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18) and God loves me perfectly (as He does all things), any fear I might feel may be replaced by trust and confidence. “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me” (see Matt. 10:29-31). This is a practical assurance that extends beyond the mere state of my heart, since Matt. 10:28 urges me not to fear any man (i.e. earthly power) but only God, who determines my eternal destiny. As you say, because I know Jesus, despite whatever I might see happening all around me in coming weeks, months, or years, I need not--and will not--be fearful. Concerned? Definitely. Prayerful? For sure. Fearful? Not at all!
I've heard that logic before, but I cannot fit it into Scripture. If perfect love casts out all fear and God loves me perfectly, so I have no need of fear, how is it a bad thing to have "no fear of God" (Rom 3:18) and how is it true that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov 1:7)? Biblically, fear (especially of God) has its place. I believe that text in 1 John 4 is referring to our perfect love for God. When we love Him perfectly, there is no fear of discipline. We don't, so discipline is sure (Heb 12:6). Fear need not cripple us, but failing to fear things that truly merit fear would seem foolish. When right fear guides us from danger, that's a good thing.
My first sentence could have read this way: “Since ‘perfect love casts out fear’ (1 John 4:18) and my love for God mitigates my fear of harm and condemnation from Him and because God loves me perfectly (as He does all things) and all that He sees fit to do is for my good and His glory (including disciplining me), any fear that I might feel about what might happen in life may be replaced by trust and confidence.” That was too wordy, so I skipped some of the most obvious thoughts, especially since your post was moreso about the believer’s proper response to all that might be going on around us.
Essentially, I was dwelling on Matt. 10:28, where contrasting fears are mentioned: fear of harm from men and earthly powers/events (which Jesus says to abandon) and fear of God as the holy and righteous Judge, who all people should rightly fear (but with whom I now have peace through Jesus Christ).
I don’t believe I hold conflicting ideas about “the fear of the Lord”--i.e. the proper way for me to view Him as well as myself before Him--but as a believer, I can rejoice in certain aspects of that, while still retaining “the big picture.”
I would like to offer an additional point of clarification:
While 1 John 4:18 is speaking of our love for God (albeit not “perfect”), there are many references to God’s love towards us in the chapters leading up to that verse (and even following it). So in the overall context of “God is love,” I don’t think a big leap of logic is required to consider God’s love here as well; the truth that “perfect love casts out fear” will also be true in other applications--i.e. God has perfect love towards me, and His perfect love casts out fear. However, the important consideration is, “which fears are cast out?”. I can only answer this based on other scripture (and not through my own interpretations or imaginations). As examples, Rom. 8:1 assures me that I have no fear of future condemnation because I am in Christ, and Isa. 41:10 promises that I need not fear abandonment as a child of God (of course, there are many more such assurances). However, “fear of the Lord” (and all that that entails) is NOT a fear that is cast out by perfect love, because scripture never tells me “do not fear the Lord” but rather teaches that it is proper and prudent to do so (as you point out). Adding this consideration of which fears are cast out by perfect love helps reconcile this issue for me.
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