Fear No Fear

“So flee youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22, MEV). I’ve heard people say they don’t trust anyone who doesn’t swear. Or that they don’t trust people who don’t drink or let loose. It’s almost as if they don’t want to trust people who don’t dabble in the world in some way. As if you’re purer when your fingers or toes are muddy. The things of the world – be it swearing, smoking, drinking, or anything else – are NOT necessary. It doesn’t make you more relatable. Because the things of the Kingdom don’t mean walking around like some pious superhero spouting thee’s and thou’s. Jesus was a very relatable guy. He hung out with the ordinary, not the religiously pious. Jesus didn’t use highfalutin language. He spoke in an ordinary way. He shared stories. He laughed and cried. But He wasn’t ungodly. He didn’t get drunk (drinking wine wasn’t a lifestyle choice, but a way to drink safe fluid). He didn’t hang out watching the strippers or using prostitutes – but He did talk with them and socialize in an uncompromising way (Luke 7:36-50). When we are ‘young’, meaning before we choose to submit to Jesus as Lord and Saviour, we do anything that comes into our heads. But when we are ‘grown up’, saved and walking with Him, we don’t need any of that foolishness. It’s childish behaviour that doesn’t take into account connections, stumbling stones, or spiritual repercussions. It’s foolishness. We’re called to live better by living godly (1 Corinthians 13:11-13). A godly character that reflects God’s full character (Galatians 5:22-23) will ALWAYS draw more people, connect deeper to the people you encounter, and be more ‘real’ than anyone who tries to dabble in what we’ve been redeemed of. When we are pure, we are profitable to the kingdom. When we dabble, we damage ourselves (1 Corinthians 10:23). Be wise and take advantage of the freedom God wrought for us. Be knowledgeable of His ways and forsake the ways of this world (1 Corinthians 14:20). It’s NOT worth it and it hurts you a LOT more than you think.