Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the World English Bible, ebible.org, all rights reserved)

with whom the LORD had made a covenant and commanded them, saying, “You shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them;
2 Kings 17:35 (emphasis added)

This verse sounds familiar, doesn’t it? ““You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them” (Exodus 20:3-5). “This is what the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of Armies, says: “I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6). Sounds like He means business about this.

No, you say. That’s the Old Covenant. We’ve been released from all those rules. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me” (John 14:6). “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given amongst men, by which we must be saved!”” (Acts 4:12). “yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him” (1 Corinthians 8:6). “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). Doesn’t sound like anything changed from the Old to the New Testament. God is still requiring us to place Him as number one. God is still asking for our obedience in staying away from idols. So what IS an idol?

The dictionary says it is an object of extreme devotion, a representation or symbol of an object of worship, a likeness of something, a false conception, and a form or appearance visible but without substance. And it is very clear that God doesn’t want anything like that above Him in importance in our lives. Take a deep breath and think about those definitions again. As believers we are probably safe from the second one. If we are true believers and disciples of Jesus we aren’t adorning ourselves or our homes with images of false gods, cool symbols that have other meanings, or objects of worship to any religious group or culture. But that list includes a lot of things that are not as obvious as religious, cultish, or pagan iconography.

We’re not asked to keep God number one just because He is the only truly Living God. We’re not asked to worship Him alone just because He deserves it as the only source of power and ultimate source of Majesty, Grace, Love, Peace, Joy, and Righteousness. That is all true and fully compelling reasons in and of themselves. But we are also asked to put God first so that we can maintain our relationship with Him. It isn’t that we are going to make Him mad and bring upon ourselves punishment. It is that we are going to take ourselves away from Him. We are going to walk away from where we can receive from Him. Ultimately, it can lead to a choice to reject Him. In choosing the world over the Lord is choosing hell over heaven. That is a choice that no one should want to make — and if they do it’s because they don’t understand what is waiting for them.

“Don’t enter into the path of the wicked. Don’t walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, and don’t pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on” (Proverbs 4:14-15). “But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:9-11). “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse” (Proverbs 8:13). It is clear that joining hands with things of the world are incompatible with life with the Lord. Normally, the concern is whether we are doing something we know we shouldn’t. Whether we are indulging in or committing a sin. When that happens, we repent by acknowledging the sin, making restitution if needed, asking for forgiveness, and then turning around and doing all we can to never do it again — something that can only be accomplished when we are abiding in Jesus and letting Him do it through us, renewing our minds to the joy of His righteousness.

This is something different. This is not committing a sin. This is choosing an object, a behaviour, or an attitude and putting it consistently, completely, and consciously before the Lord. I know the automatic reaction is that you don’t do that. We don’t do that. We’re believers. Well, let me list off a series of things that are not in and of themselves bad: television, food, friends, games, events, and hobbies. None of those are bad things. They are things that can enrich our lives and provide us with entertainment, exercise, fellowship, fuel, and enjoyment. But each and every one of them can get in the way of something that the Lord has asked you to do. Each and every one can interfere with your walk with the Lord. When THAT happens, they are still not bad. But your own personal viewpoint is raising them to idolship. For example, I have heard people more than once say (and have said myself) that they just didn’t have time to read their bible that day, week, or whatever time period. Yet in that same time period did they watch their favourite program? ‘De-stress’ by gaming? Make arrangements to go out to coffee with a friend because they just needed to talk? Those are all examples of how we can put something before the Lord.

I am not saying that it is all idolatry. Idolatry is more than just putting God on the back burner once or twice. Idolatry is a pattern. Idolatry is conscious. It is saying I know I should read the bible, but I don’t want to so instead I am going to do BLAH. It is hearing in your spirit God saying ‘come talk to me’ and choosing to call your friend instead. It is choosing the things of this world and not the things of the Lord. And this isn’t about stuff. You could sell every book, movie, song, TV, electronic device, and game; read only the bible for all your entertainment and still be guilty of this. This is about putting God second in any arena of life. This is not about a single choice, but a pattern of choice. It is not always stuff and things. Are you staying up all night watching shows or working, but won’t get up to start your day with God? Are you getting up early to get to work or school or wherever you need to be, but you aren’t closing your day with the Lord? Do you manage to hit the gym three times a week, but only sing to the Lord Sunday morning?

It is a heart attitude that determines whether or not you have a problem. Whether you are putting something before the Lord or not. Whether you need to repent and make changes, or continue to mindfully follow Him. If you aren’t willing to drop anything at any time should He ask, then that thing you won’t drop has a hook in you. As disciples and followers of Jesus, it is important for us to strive to have nothing between us and Jesus. To have nothing that we are holding closer than our relationship with the Lord. Nothing and no one in our lives more important than the Lord. “Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever? What agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their God and they will be my people.” Therefore “‘Come out from amongst them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you. I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty”” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

We don’t have to worry about the clean/unclean rules of the Old Covenant. We should, however, be very aware of unrighteousness vs righteousness and ever strive to put the values of Yahweh God above whatever it is our flesh likes and enjoys — no matter how innocent, well-made, or entertaining. “Having therefore these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). Read Psalm 119 (especially vs 1-16) and you’ll see that those who seek after the Lord with their whole heart rejoice in Him and His statues. That they are blessed. That they have joy. This isn’t some stodgy lifestyle of denial. This is a shifting of priorities to make sure that the Lord always stays at the forefront of our lives.

The simplest way of doing that is to participate in the process of sanctification. The Lord sanctifies us with His Word (John 17:17). He renews our minds (Romans 12:2). It is Jesus who does the work in us (Philippians 2:13). There is something we can do to help with that. We can bring faith into everything in our lives. Since everything that isn’t of faith is of sin (Romans 14:23), then our part of this process is to on purpose bring the Lord into every aspect of our lives. We start with daily reading of the Word — with intent, looking to be shown Jesus on every page, and listening to His voice. Then we listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we start to expect the Lord to show up and have an opinion on everything we do.

Take the shopping I do in my own life for example. The Lord has become very much a part of our shopping. We listen as we make up the lists, not just blindly writing down what we’re out of or want. We listen as we shop. Sometimes that means putting something not on the list in the cart. Sometimes that means finding the last item in the store in a strange place. Sometimes it means buying more or less than intended. The pushes and prods of Holy Spirit are very clear IF we’re listening. On the days we have cultivated a relationship by reading the Word, praying, and focusing on Him. And we have had some interesting shopping experiences. But we have not had any lack in over two years. We’ve always had on hand what we needed — no matter what circumstances have appeared — and often been able to bless others who were in need. By being willing to listen and by bringing the Lord into something as mundane as the shopping chore, we have seen transformation in that area. We’ve seen it become more than a chore and more than a dry prayer of ‘meet our needs’. It is a dynamic back and forth full of laughter, interest, and fulfilment. Our whole life could be like that. Every part of it. Every. Single. Part.

It takes time. I’ve mindfully been doing this on purpose and have barely scratched the surface. But everywhere I do it, I don’t regret it. It is accomplished with baby steps. Day by day. It is a journey of a lifetime. None of us will be fully sanctified until we receive our new bodies before the Throne itself. In the meantime, we can change one piece at a time. Bringing Jesus into all of our life. Seeking the Spirit over everything. And always being willing to drop what we’re doing to go before Him in prayer and thanksgiving. Not because you have to. Because it is what friends do. It is what good family does. Joyfully spend time together because we love each other. Because it is rewarding. Because it is good. The Lord is a GOOD God. He is a GOOD Father. Who loves us and wants the best for us. Put Him first. In everything you do. Start the journey of bringing faith into every corner of your life. You won’t regret it. Not ever. It isn’t a giving up of things. It is a receiving of Joy, Peace, Blessing, and Fellowship. And that is better than the very best thing the world could ever offer you. Try it. Start today. Make Him first.

Daily Affirmation of God’s Love: 2 Samuel 7:14-15

No one likes to be corrected. We all prefer to get things right the first time. Sometimes the worst thing in the world is the correction of a parent. We see it as nagging, domination, intrusion, stupidly pointless, and a dozen other things. And it is true that at times it can be those things. People are people, and no human is perfect. The intent of parental correction is almost always good. They want the best for us. They want us to avoid issues they have had. They want to turn us from a path that their superior experience tells them will end badly or at least in a way that is less than ideal. A human parent sometimes gets it wrong. They miss it. But they almost always are moved to act from compassion. Our heavenly Father ALWAYS moves from compassion. He never misses. He is always pouring out good toward us. Good in blessing. Good in correction. And whether He needs to correct us or not, His love toward us never ceases. Never decreases. And never, EVER stops. He is our GOOD Father, and we are His beloved and adored children. Let yourself see you as He sees you: a beloved child. One who makes Him smile and take joy in who you are. You are loved. Very, VERY loved.

Your Daily Confession of God’s love to YOU:

Today God loves that I _______.