Fear No Fear

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

But I say, live by the Spirit, and you will never carry out the desire of the flesh.

Galatians 5:16

In order to understand verses like this (and there are a few in the Word), you have to accept the TRUTH that your sinful nature is DEAD. GONE. Pinned to a tree by bloody nails. “For if we have become identified with him in the likeness of his death, certainly also we will be identified with him in the likeness of his resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified together with him, in order that the body of sin may be done away with, that we may no longer be enslaved to sin” (Romans 6:5-6). Dead is dead. Dead is not coming back. Dead is final. Toast. Not moving. Having no life or impulses to it. It is NOT driving your actions. It is NOT suggesting anything. It is rotting in the pit. Period. It’s done away with. Where does that leave us? With a choice.

“Everyone who is fathered by God does not practice sin, because his seed resides in him, and he is not able to sin, because he has been fathered by God” (1 John 3:9). As new creations, we’ve been created with ZERO sin. Why DO we sin then? We choose to. We follow the steps and do the things. “But each one is tempted when he is dragged away and enticed by his own desires. Then desire, after it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is brought to completion, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my dear brothers” (James 1:14-16). This is the ONLY way that we sin. We SEE it, we THINK on it, we’re TEMPTED by it, we DO it. It’s the same way that Achan sinned in Ai: “I saw among the spoil a beautiful robe from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and one bar of gold that weighed fifty shekels; I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, and the silver is under it” (Joshua 7:21, emphasis mine). This is how we sin. If we didn’t follow this path, we would NEVER EVER sin because sin is NOT in us. Neither sin nor the nature of sin. Period. We are CLEANSED (Titus 3:5).

Which means that the OPPOSITE is also true. If we SEEK Adonai, COVET the things of Elohim, and ENGAGE them, we will experience Adonai’s Kingdom reality throughout our lives. “But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Through our trust in Jesus, we are guided by Ruach HaKodesh into Adonai’s paths. “Trust Yahweh with all your heart; do not lean toward your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will straighten your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Ruach HaKodesh is the ultimate trail guide. He helps get our feet on the path, illuminates the path, talks us through the path, corrects us if we step off the path, never forces, always encourages, and never, EVER lets us forget who we are in Jesus and the reality in which we now walk. When we live that way. When we live according to Ruach’s guidance, HOW could we EVER choose that which takes us away? How could we EVER choose to leave the wonderful abundance of real life and fiddle around with death? It is ONLY by taking our eyes off of Adonai that we EVER choose to look at the things of sin. Keep your eyes on Jesus and keep your feet being guided by Ruach HaKodesh so that we can live according to life. He has been given the authority to help us walk. Let Him exercise it. Cooperate and humbly submit to Ruach HaKodesh. Do not harden your heart to His leading. Choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: Philippians 4:19

“And my God will fulfill your every need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” If we’re talking in purely financial riches, Jesus has a LOT going on. The doors of the Kingdom are single, giant pearls (Revelation 21:21). The streets are MADE of PURE gold (Revelation 21:21). The foundation of the city – the one that has borders resembling a cube two thousand, two hundred kilometers long surrounded by a jasper wall 65 meters tall – is layered with jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, carnelian, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, and amethyst. The city itself is actually pure gold. So money is not a problem Jesus has. If we were going ONLY financially, the riches of the glory of Jesus could bankrupt the world. But I don’t think finances are what Adonai has in mind here. I mean, He could bless us with anything and He DOES bless us with the ability to MAKE wealth (so we don’t need to depend on anyone or anything but Adonai). I think this is WHOLE PACKAGE riches. Spiritually, mentally, emotionally, relationally, physically, and financially. I think Adonai is promising to fill all our needs in all the areas of our lives according to HIS standard of riches (and think of how BIG that must be if He’s WALKING on gold). I think the Fruit of the Spirit are supposed to be the emotions and characteristics that we exhibit and have every single day of our lives. I think disappointments, griefs, sadness, worry, anxiety, and depression should never be more than MOMENTARY things – measured in seconds to minutes at MOST. I’ve experienced tragedy, grief, crippling anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. I was never meant to have them and have been redeemed from each and every one – PRAISE ADONAI. They come knocking from time to time and each and every one gets kicked to the curb almost as soon as they try to stick on me. My needs in every arena of my life are fulfilled by Adonai. Each and EVERY one. I won’t accept any less because HE says and the WORD AGREES that I don’t have to. My Elohim has MORE THAN ENOUGH for me because Yahweh IS MORE THAN ENOUGH in EVERY area of my life – spirit, soul, and body. What a GOOD God!

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