The Price of Fear: Part III. Have I Done Enough?

I’ve often stated that eternal security is a dangerous doctrine. I’m not saying that I don’t believe in eternal security, I’m just stating that it is dangerous. The difficulty in the doctrine is that many rely on eternal security without experiencing fruit. In other words, I say yes to Christ, say a prayer, then, live the rest of my life in security. The outcome is a life that does not see the change Jesus intends. The other extreme is to accept salvation by faith and by the work of the Spirit, then, demand that “right” living comes by how we live in the flesh. This leads to frustration and uncertainty. How much is enough?

Can we live this life, in Christ, and experience the change He desires for us without fear of whether or not we are “doing” enough? This is a question with which many struggle. We become confused many times by mixing works with our faith. This is not to say that our faith does not result in certain works, it does. James makes that clear. Those of us who would never rely on works in order to come to salvation, however, sometimes find ourselves struggling with works in order to stay in a right standing. The truth is this; if we cannot rely on works to bring us to salvation (a right standing before God), then, we cannot rely on works to keep it. How then do we balance this? How can we know we are doing and changing the way Christ desires? The answer if found in John 15.

John 15:1-5 demonstrates both the question and the answer. Jesus states that He is the vine. Anyone who does not produce, that is with the vine, the Father will purge; cut off. That’s scary in and of itself. So, how do I do enough so I’m not cast away? The answer comes two fold. First, we are incapable of “doing” enough in and of ourselves. That is why frustration and fear comes when we try. Jesus answers the question of “how” in verse 5. “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.” It is through Christ’s ability we are able to bear fruit and remain in Him; not ours. He goes on to say “for apart from me you can do nothing.” So, how do we live without the frustration of trying to “do” enough? Remain in Him and let Him “do” through us.

The remainder of the answer is found in verse 3. This is the release of fear. The most wonderful, beautiful and joyful truth about belonging to Christ is the fact that I don’t have to live in fear. His promise for that is spoken in this way; “already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.” What word? “You are in Me!” David sums this up very well in Psalm 25. “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You.” Not only does David put all of his trust in the Lord but also realizes that God’s direction is the path. This parallels with Jesus’ words “abide in me.” Verses 4-5 of Psalm 25, among other verses, sum this up. “Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.” You cannot rely on yourself to live a fruitful life any more than you can rely on yourself to save your own soul. So, in order to live without frustration and fear, as the old adage states, let go and let God. The more you try and live it by your own power, that is by your flesh, the more you will find frustration and fear.

The Price of Fear: Part II. The Definition of Fear.

Though God is not mentioned in the book of Esther, His presence and interaction within the lives of His people is assumed by the writer. Just as Nehemiah did, Esther has a choice whether or not she will be motivated by God’s plan for His people or by her fear of a king. Mordecai convinced Esther to go to the king because he believed Esther found herself in the position as queen through the guidance of God’s plan, just for the present time. Esther’s decision to approach the king in spite of her fear enabled God to work in her life to save the lives of many of her people.

Many of us struggle with fear. Fear of man or situations causes us to have an unhealthy definition of fear which brings with it apprehension, anxiety and stress which in turn brings many ailments like headaches and stomach problems. This in turn shapes our entire outlook of fear. We have a hidden understanding deep inside us that states “fear brings bad results.” We then transfer this understanding to God. In other words, since we have negative understanding of fear based on our experience in this life, we transfer that definition of fear to the fear we have of God. So, here’s the million dollar question. Is our fear of God the same, or should it be the same, as other fears we have in this life?

In order to try and answer this question we tend to change the word fear, in regard to God, to respect. Though fear of God is a healthy respect of Him, that doesn’t completely fix the problem. Jesus stated that we should fear God because He has the power to destroy the body and the soul and men do not have that ability. (Mat. 10:28) That’s a little stronger that just healthy respect, that’s fear that is more intense and motivating then man can bring upon us. This may be the mindset of the Psalmist as he writes Psalm 118. “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (118:6) How, then, is fear of God different from the fear of man or other fears we have in this life? Well, it may not be in definition at all. Job stated “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom.” (28:28) Solomon stated that fear of God is the “whole duty of man” (lit. all of man).

Here’s my point: fear of man and fear of things in this life only bring anxiety, stress, strain on our relationships and marriages and ultimately physical and emotional pain. Fear of God, on the other hand, provides something different. Esther realized this when she sought God’s purpose ultimately having more fear of Him than the king. In the end, fear of God provides the joy, peace, pleasures of this life, and the next life, which only He can provide. What must be understood is the definition of fear is not different when applied to God. The difference is the outcome. Fear of man and life only bring dysfunction; fear in the Lord God brings function.

What is the Price of Fear?

What is the price of fear? What happens if I respond to the fear of what people think or might do? Nehemiah faced this question when he went to Jerusalem to rebuild the city after the captivity of Judah. As they rebuilt the wall there was a constant threat of persecution from those who opposed their efforts. The threat of persecution did not strike fear into Nehemiah because the unity of the people brought protection the enemy could not press through. There are many great things that can be stated about God’s people when they have unity.

Since that didn’t work, Nehemiah’s enemy tried one more time to trick him into acting out of character by way of the weapon of fear. They tried to make him flee for his life. Nehemiah recorded that “they were trying to make us afraid.” (Neh. 6:9) Nehemiah knew if he responded to their threats, which were completely empty by the way, they would succeed in keeping him, and ultimately the rest of Judah, from their appointed task. It was imperative that Nehemiah not react to their threat. So he prayed, “Oh God, strengthen my hands.” (Neh. 6:9) Nehemiah was driven, not by pride, but by purpose. This purpose was given to him by God to complete a work that was necessary for God’s plan to be realized in the life of His people.

So many of us in the church face the type of fear Nehemiah did. Not death, but fear of what people may say or do. When you find yourself in this situation, how will you respond? Some are given tasks to do within the church. The tasks are realized through God given (placed) desires within their hearts and minds. Psalm 37:4 explains this. “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 145:19 states “He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him.” (Emphasis mine) But, many, crippled by fear of what people may say or think never follow these God given desires and God then must find someone else to carry out His plan for His people; or maybe His plan will not be carried out at all.

Just as Nehemiah was driven by purpose we must be as well. Also, as in Nehemiah’s life, our task is not driven by pride, but, by our God given purpose. When we have a healthy respect for who God is (fear), then we need not fear what others may say or think. Many times, when we work through our fear and follow God we find as Nehemiah did; there was nothing to fear at all.

Inaugeral VBC Blog

This is the first of what I hope will be many entries that will come to this blog. If you are reading this, you arrived here by way of a link found on the Vienna Baptist Church website. My desire, and the desire of the Vienna Baptist Church ministry, is to build relationships that God can use to bring us to a greater Devotion to Him, Develop us to think, act and live like Jesus, and ultimately guide us to Deliver the greatest message in the world; that of Jesus Christ.

My desire for you is: if you know Jesus Christ you will Devote your life completely to Him. If you're Devoted to Him that you will Develop to be like Him. If you're Developing to be like Him, then my desire is that you will share Him with someone who does not yet know Him.

We have a great ministry and mission before us. I hope you will be a part of it. If you've never had the chance to visit us at Vienna Baptist Church, I want to take this opportunity to personally invite you to come worship with us this Sunday morning at 10:30am. Hope to see you then!!!