Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me, and concerning righteousness, because I am going away to the Father and you will see me no more, and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

John 16:8-11

Adam didn’t sin by eating the fruit (Genesis 3:6-7). The eating of the fruit was the physical arrival of his sin – which was not trusting the Word and goodness of Elohim (Genesis 2:16-17). The physical arrival of ALL sin comes from THE sin of not trusting Jesus – not believing on Him (Hebrews 11:6) and resting in relationship with Him (Sabbath). One of the biggest ministries of Ruach HaKodesh is speaking to us about our trust. He convicts us of who we really are in Jesus by reminding us of who we trust in and what that really means. This is NOT a negative, but a POSITIVE ministry.

At its core, the word ‘convict’ is about exposure. We generally think of it in terms of exposing wrongdoing. But really it is just exposing something hidden – and we assume that’s guilt. Well, go look in ANY mirror and I think most people will find flaws and imperfections. Most people don’t see Jesus smiling back at them. Yet in the spirit we’re carbon copies. Yes, our souls and bodies are not yet perfected. But our spirits ARE. Add to that the truth that we can have our mind (part of our soul) renewed (Romans 12:2) to be exactly like Jesus’ mind (1 Corinthians 2:16), and it’s really only the body that has to 100% wait for renewal (not healing, which is different). What should we be seeing then? What should we perceive as we look in the mirror? Jesus! We should see so much of Him that we have to do a double-take to find out if it’s really Him or not. This isn’t arrogance or impossible. The believers in Antioch acted so much like Jesus and did so much of what Jesus did that they were called Little Jesus’ (Acts 11:36). We should strive to do the same. It’s possible (John 14:12).

We can’t use the excuse that we don’t feel like it. Or the excuse that we don’t believe it. I mean, you might not believe it, but it cannot be an excuse. The reason is Ruach HaKodesh is right there all the time talking to us. He is exposing to us how we could trust in Jesus in every situation we face from doing dishes to being a witness to our work to how we speak to our children. In every circumstance, we can choose to trust in Jesus or we’ve chosen not to. There isn’t any middle ground. It’s a dichotomy. Trusting in Jesus and what He’s done is righteous behaviour. Anything else is sin (Romans 14:23). That’s why Ruach HaKodesh is constantly and consistently reminding us that we can trust in Jesus. That we can rest in Jesus. That in Jesus we are the Righteousness of Elohim. That’s why Jesus came to Earth in the first place. Elohim proclaimed it in Genesis 1:1. It’s what Elohim promised the devil in Genesis 3:15. It’s what Jesus agreed to do before anything became (Revelation 13:8; Ephesians 1:4). It’s what Elohim trusted in (Mark 11:22). It’s the basis of the trust Elohim gave us (Mark 11:22; Ephesians 2:8). This is the whole deal. We can and should trust in Jesus if we are serious about Jesus. If Jesus is the Way, you can’t be lost. If Jesus is the Truth, you can’t be deceived. If Jesus is the Life, you can’t be killed – sickness cannot touch you (when we’re DONE we’ll give up this meat suit). What you confess, you MUST possess in every way in your life. Body, soul, and spirit.

This is the abundant life Jesus came to bring us (John 10:10). This is what Jesus’ ministry was. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because of which he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to send out in freedom those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19). Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of Elohim was near, and in Him (after resurrection) fulfilled. This is what our ministry is. Letting everyone know what it is Jesus makes available to us. But life happens. It’s a fallen world. It’s full of people with free will who are not following Adonai. Stuff happens. How do we keep our eyes on Jesus and not on the stuff and things? By the REMINDER of what we should be doing. Of what we CAN be doing. The consistent words of Ruach HaKodesh and the persistent opportunity to trust Jesus. It’s what we should be holding to. It’s the mindset of Messiah that is available to us. Trust in Jesus in ALL things. Looking to Jesus for the answers. Aligning with the Father’s will in all ways. When we don’t know what that is, or how to do it, Ruach HaKodesh is there telling us what, how, when, and where. Every time and all the time. It’s a promise.

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: Psalm 145:9

“Yahweh is good to all,
and his mercies are over all his works.” Mercy always accompanies the works of Adonai Elohim. It’s a hallmark of them. It’s like a signature He uses to ensure that we know their source. He cannot be divorced from His mercies. He asks us to walk a certain way, talk a certain way, and be a living witness in a certain way. You know what? We might mess it up. We might miss it. You know what He says about that? If we mess up, we shouldn’t give up. We can confess our mess (1 John 1:9). We can turn away from it and back to Jesus’ Way – He’ll help us with the cleanup (Acts 3:19; 2 Peter 3:17). He is a GOOD God. He isn’t looking to smite us. He’s looking to love us, correct us, and get us walking in cooperation with Him. It is the Way of life. It is the Way of true freedom. It is the Way of peace (John 14:6).

Your Daily Confession of Elohim’s Goodness:

I taste and see that Yahweh is good; I am blessed because I take refuge in Him.

Psalm 34:8