August 30, 2021 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

#7 in the series: Becoming the People of God

Warnings, Wisdom & White Robes

Fear and the other Fear

Rule #7. A lesson in understand “fear” from God’s perspective. I have the complete series of books “Jesus Freaks” by D.C. Talk. When I taught the class, ‘A Christian Worldview’, at a southern California university, I used these books to introduce students to the power of Christ and the cost of serving Him. Fear was a topic that found its way into many of the stories of Jesus Freaks, the stories of persecuted Christians. This indeed is a series of books every Christian should read!

Fear is often the ‘dividing line’ between God and man either doing God’s will or not doing His will. However, the Bible speaks of all kinds of fear. God asks us to fear Him, but then again, He chastises us for having fear. Fear can be complicated and can be used positively or negatively. When we live/walk in the Holy Spirit fear should be ‘a positive’ attribute in our lives, not a feeling that causes us to make wrong decisions.

A good example of this comes to us from ‘Down-Under’: “Australia rescue dogs shot over COVID restrictions,” the Sydney Morning Herald reports. This incident occurred in a rural area of New South Wales. People were so afraid of the virus that instead of doing the ‘right-thing’ they decided to murder dogs in order to save their own lives. What a miserable and unneeded example of total ignorance and lack of wisdom driven by unfounded fear–fear that comes from Satan.

Godly fear is based in trust, personal responsibility, and confidence that whatever God intends to do and/or is doing is always right and just and the end result is God being glorified and honored. Job and Jesus are the two of the best examples of Biblical characters having and exercising the Fear of God. Both men questioned God’s will for their lives, and both had to come to grips that ‘what God did or was asking them to do’, was/is right and just—that God has all things under His control and God has a much greater purpose to what has or will take place.

No one wants to live through the Fear of the Lord, but God asks us to completely align our lives with God’s will and commit our future to His purposes and plans. This is easier said than to live through such an experience as Job had to learn. Nevertheless, I fear God and, in that fear, I believe that God will work out His will no matter the cost to me—no matter what pain and suffering I will go through. It is never easy and hard to understand but in the end, the promises and blessings of God become greater and His presence overwhelming.

I will not fear what man or social media tells me to fear, but to fear God—yes, I will do this with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. As Jesus did, so can I because He walks beside me and often carries me.

Note: Remember, Jesus said, “Satan (your enemy) only lies, steals, kills, and destroys.”

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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