Fear No Fear

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

Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.
Colossians 3:21 (emphasis added)

Who wants a discouraged child? We want our children to be confident. To be favoured. To feel that they are able to accomplish things. To feel worth. This doesn’t mean to bow to every caprice or feeling they might have. Their feelings are no more real than yours. Their feelings are the input sensations of their body and mind. As we train ourselves to have our spirits inform our emotions, we should also give those tools to our children. It also doesn’t mean to dismiss them out of hand. They are learning as we are learning. They are as valid in where they are on the journey as we are. We don’t deal with our children where we want them to be. We deal with our children where they are at.

To provoke is to call forth (a feeling, an action, etc.), to stir up purposely, to provide the needed stimulus for something, or to incite anger. While it can be good to provoke discussion about something, so much about provoking is negative. It is a violent word. Would you rather have discussion provoked or inspired? You see? There is a negative feeling there. Of a fight waiting to break out. Of a poking, prodding, and jabbing quality. No one likes that. How much more a child? Take a stereotypical teenager. Hard enough to inspire one, have you ever tried provoking them to a positive thing? Good luck to you. This seems like such a basic concept. A simple idea. What is the context of this verse?

“Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality” (Colossians 3:12-25).

Being like Jesus. That’s the context. Walking in God’s love and reacting to those around us as Jesus would. Respecting the spiritual chain of command as Jesus did. Partnering with those around us within that chain of authority so we can all grow together with checks and balances and responsibility to the Lord. It gives a roadmap for our human interactions. The tools we need to walk in so we are prepared to not provoke.

We need a heart of compassion. A heart that not only feels compassion but also a heart that shows it. One that uses compassion as a guideline for interactions with other people. “And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). This is not frivolous. This is walking as Jesus walked. Doing as Jesus did. This is what we are called to: “For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, who didn’t sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth”” (1 Peter 2:21-22). This is not something that we should regard lightly. This is something that we should actively pursue. We do that by drawing near to the Lord through the Word, worship, and fellowship with Him (James 4:8).

Forgiveness. This is a biggie. This is so big that our ability to forgive one another affects the Lord’s ability to forgive us. “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15). This does not mean that the Lord is incapable of forgiving us because the Lord can do anything. However, much like sin separates us from the Lord, unforgiveness separates us from His forgiveness. It is a result and condition of our free will. Just as we need to choose salvation, we also need to choose forgiveness. If we want the Lord to forgive us our sins but we won’t forgive others, how can we expect the Lord to forgive us? In Luke 7:36-50 we have the parable of the two debtors. In the Lord’s prayers we have the same sentiment: “Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us” (Luke 11:4). Forgiveness is a choice we must make if we want the full benefits of salvation. It’s kind of the second step we take. The first is salvation, the second is forgiving. We go on from there.

Love is the showing of Grace to those around us by choice. Love is consistent with forgiveness. Love is inconsistent with bitterness. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another” (Galatians 5:22-26). It is by the application of the fruits of the spirit within us that we can choose to forgive. Why do we need the spirit to help us? Because we don’t forgive by feelings. We forgive by choice. If we stick with our feelings, we’re never going to let things go. Flesh has a long memory. But if we walk by the spirit, then it is easy because we have Jesus’ righteous spirit within us. We’ve exchanged our dead spirit for His eternal righteous one. If we abide in Jesus, we will be able to declare forgiveness and let go of every perceived wrong every time it comes to mind. By choice. In Jesus.

When we abide in Jesus, we gain access to the Lord’s peace. “Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!” Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7). When we abide in Jesus, we rejoice in Jesus. When we rejoice in Jesus, we draw close to the Lord. When we are close to the Lord, the Lord is close to us (James 4:8-10). The Peace of the Lord is with Him always because He IS peace (Ephesians 2:14). By letting the Word renew our minds we let the Lord renew our hearts. When He renews us, we are able to experience more of Him. Since He is Peace, we also get Peace. In His Peace is the patience we need to endure, to wait on His promises, and to see the manifest glory of the Lord real in our lives. If this attitude is what guides us, we reject so much that is negative: strife, dishonesty, conflict, unforgiveness, hate, and the list goes on. It is a great help to how we walk in this world. It is an absolute must if we are to do as we have been commanded: model Jesus to a world that doesn’t know Him.

The Word is more than a catalyst for letting the Lord renew your mind. It is more than guidelines, statutes, commands, and promises. It’s more than a narrative or a teaching tool. It is the cornerstone of our faith: “Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free”” (John 8:31-32). If you’re saved, you’re sealed (Ephesians 1:13)—unless you make a conscious and determined choice to reject the God you know is real, kind of a reverse salvation decision. You can’t lose your salvation because of a sin. Once saved, you’re a disciple of Jesus. Are you one in name only? On Tuesdays? When the in-laws are over? Major holidays? For two weeks that one time and then you regretted some decisions and decided a bunch of stuff was okay after all and you’ve eased off a bit on the Jesus nut thing? Or are you true disciples? I’m not talking radical fanatics shoving bibles up people’s noses. I’m not talking about being obnoxious about your faith. I’m talking a heart full, mind dwelling, Lord God Almighty first, dedicated disciple of Jesus. There’s a sure-fire test. What is the Word in your life?

Do you eat it like you eat food? Three times a day full on. Plus snacks. And maybe a dessert? Do you start to crave it if it’s been hours since your last look? Do you watch the clock at work dreaming of when you can punch out, get in your car, and listen to the Word on the way home? Is it a part of your life or is it a hobby? Fans of sport teams spend hours with their hobby. There are conventions and mega-conventions for comic book and video game fans. Stadiums are sold out for entertainment events. People spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on this stuff. Are you THAT dedicated to the Word? I don’t mean hitting conventions every weekend or spending thousands of dollars at your local christian bookstore. I mean are you giving the Word the energy that the world gives its hobbies? Are you dedicated to it? Do you let it in? Think about it? Dwell on it? Ask the Lord questions about it? They aren’t secrets, they’re mysteries. He’ll tell you. You might need some Word in you before you’re ready for some of it, but He eagerly and joyfully wants that time with us. The Word isn’t for Him. It’s for us. And it is a rich soil in which to plant your life. It is where your faith is rooted and how your faith develops. It is a rich banquet to which there is no bottom. No ending. It’s an all you can read buffet. Hit it as often as you can. You won’t gain a pound of fat, but you’ll be ripped in the spirit.

Grace is the gift of God to us. We don’t deserve it, but He gives it to us anyway because He loves us. It is a precious gift that we need to guard and feed. “Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Don’t be carried away by various and strange teachings, for it is good that the heart be established by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefitted” (Hebrews 13:7-9). “From his fullness we all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realised through Jesus Christ” (John 1:16-17). How can we keep this grace which is in our hearts safe? We’re always getting more of it, so we need to make sure that we are receiving the benefits of it as it builds. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:19-20 to make melody in our hearts giving thanks always in all things to Jesus and the Father. Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are more than just tunes to help us tap our feet. They are more than emotional bullet points.

They can guide, teach, and admonish us. They can be the trumpets leading us out of darkness (Psalm 68:6). They can be reminders of what God has done, strengthening our faith for what God has yet to do (Psalm 105:2). They can be the release of our selfish flesh feelings, helping us to focus not on what is happening but on what God is doing at this moment in and around us (Acts 16:25). When we sing with understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15) we prepare our hearts for worship. The singing isn’t the worship. The singing is aligning our hearts, minds, and spirit to worship the Father. It is after a powerful worship service that we are attuned to the Lord and what He is saying and doing. Then we can release ourselves and worship in spirit and truth—with joyful singing, or words of praise, or prayers, or just talking to Him. That is when we can get the deep back and forth with the Father and with Jesus.

Jesus was very explicit in several places in the Word about how He operated. It was not a secret, but we’re still coming to terms with what it really meant. Jesus was at His core obedient to the Father. It was a choice He made. He made it early on (when He was 12 He was already consumed by study of the Word). It is why He never sinned. He chose not to. With an eternal, righteous spirit He had that choice to make every day. Adam and Eve had that choice. We have that choice again in Jesus. We’re called to do as He did. Be obedient. But we think of it as not murdering, not coveting, not telling lies, remembering to tithe, and reading the bible on a daily basis. Jesus did those things. He kept the Law. But Jesus was OBEDIENT to the Father. “Jesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things he does, these the Son also does likewise” (John 5:19). “For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me gave me a commandment, what I should say and what I should speak. I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak”” (John 12:49-50).

Take that in. Take it in and then re-read the gospels. Not a single action. Not a single word. Nothing you see Jesus do from the moment He was baptised to the moment He gave up His spirit. It was all directed and orchestrated by the Father. Even His personal prayers. He spoke out of His heart and emotions. The things on His mind came out to us. But they were all three full of the Word and full of the Father. This is what we are called to. In every word we speak and in every deed we do, we are to do it in the name of Jesus. We have the Holy Spirit indwelling us just as Jesus did. We have the same resources to discern the will of the Father. We have more, really, because the New Testament hadn’t been written and its purpose is to explain the will of the Lord even further. To bring new life to the Old Testament teaching. If we meditate on this, we find we really have no excuse. We don’t have a dead spirit anymore. We have the Word. We have the Holy Spirit. We have songs of praise and worship. We have prayer time. We have everything. Are we utilising them? It is part of the sanctification journey. Not something to beat yourself up over if you’re not there. But to strive every day to achieve that which God says is achievable. That which Jesus said He came to impart to us (John 10:10). We can get there. We can do it. First for a moment. Then for an hour. Then for a day. Then for a week. Then for a month. Then for a year. Then for a decade. Then for eternity. This is the personal walk of every believer. Be more like Jesus. Be like Him.

Which brings us to the next step which is our motivation. Yes, we are to be like Jesus. Yes, it was not a suggestion but a command. “Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and arguing,” (Philippians 2:5-14). It is a service. It is a service of thanksgiving to the Father. That is our motivation. That is our goalpost. To empty ourselves in order to fill ourselves with Jesus without complaining or arguing or kicking out. Remember, we are not just us. We are a gift. A gift that Jesus is giving to His Father. It is for HIM that we were created, not for us. We are the bonus. Free will is the bonus we get by Grace because Jesus didn’t want to give robots. He didn’t want to give toys. He wanted to give real, honest, and true worshippers. It is only by laying down our Self, by crucifying our flesh feelings and desires every day that we manage to follow in the footsteps of Jesus (Luke 9:23).

If these are the steps we are taking. If this is how we are walking and living and being. Then we won’t have issues with the authority framework laid out by the Lord. The chain of authority—of responsibility—won’t chafe us. We won’t seek to pass the buck. Without bitterness, jealousy, rebellion, misunderstanding, or human agenda we will take responsibility for our actions, submit with graciousness to the individual on the level above us, and know that at the top is Jesus. He is the head of the church. He is the head of our families. He is the head of our relationships. He is the head of our lives. He is our all in all. The Smith Literal Translation (by Julia E. Smith published in 1876) of 1 Corinthians 15:28 puts it like this: “And when all things be subjected to him, then also shall the Son himself be subjected to him having made all things subject to him, that God might be all things in all.” Not dominated all things. Not subdued all things. Not chastised or smote all things. Subjected. Placed under the authority of. Also defined as the mind, ego, or agent of whatever sort that sustains or assumes the form of thought or consciousness of something else.

To the believer this means that when all things have assumed the form of thought of Jesus, then also shall the Son himself assume the form of thought of the Father, that God Three-in-One unique might be all things in all that is. That right there is the destination. The end point of our sanctification journey. That is where we will be. Right now, we are following the guide of Colossians 3:12-25 in order to empty us of us and live in the fullness, freedom, and Grace of Jesus. To be in Him in all things. We strive for that. Race for that. Walk in that. But there will come a time when we will BE that. Before the Throne. Perfected bodies. Joined in body-mind-spirit. Perfected in all ways in all things in Jesus the Anointed One. Joint heirs and fellow siblings of the Father. All of us at the end point which is really the beginning point of the rest of our lives. Jesus IS Alpha-Omega. The ending of this and the beginning of that. The beginning of that and the ending of what else there will be. It is a marvel, a mystery, and something only God can fully explain. It is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27) and our eager expectation.

Hear it. Believe it. Receive it. Walk in it. There’s nothing like it. Because there is none like Him. Amen.

Daily Affirmation of God’s Love: 1 Corinthians 10:9-13

We’re called to be holy. With a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance. Bearing with each other. Forgiving each other. Walking in love and having God’s peace ruling us. The Word of God is alive in us richly. Doing all in the Name of Jesus—words and deeds—thankfully and joyfully. Acting together in singleness of heart reverencing the Lord and putting Him before all (Colossians 3:12-25). This is the walk we are called to. If this is how our Father deals with us—and the roles we are called to are shadows, reflections, or types of the relationships of the Lord to us—then we know one thing: God doesn’t test us. I know that phrase flies in the face of centuries of religious thought, but religious thought isn’t worth a whole lot. God doesn’t test us because only good things come from Him. The end result of a test may be good, but the test itself frequently is not. What about those tests then? Well, God isn’t testing us. But He is allowing us to be tested. Why would He do that? Because they’re for our own good within this system of sin that we created when we rebelled. Tests are the bed that we made and in which we sometimes lie. Not because God is testing us, but because the circumstances dictate that a test is required. The enemy tests us constantly because he wants to rob us. If we make a stand, he huffs and puffs and tries to blow it all in. Any time we move in the Kingdom, the enemy wants us out. This is what tests are. This is what temptations are. Ways to fail. God may allow it, but He also gives us an out (1 Corinthians 10:13). He is there for us in our testing, with all the tools we need to pass, and a way out if we feel we cannot—though the way out of temptation may just be the passing grade of the test since the idea of the tests of the enemy is for us to fail. We are called to be holy as He is holy. He enables us to be holy. In Jesus, by Jesus, and through Jesus. That’s why the Joy of the Lord is our strength. It is our cry of victory in Jesus’ overcoming of this world of tests, trials, tribulations, and temptations. Whenever the T’s get to you, remember they are not the end of the alphabet. Jesus is Alpha-Omega. The ending that begins new life, victorious life, an overcoming life, abundant life. Living water. Let it wash all the rest away.

Your Daily Confession of God’s love to YOU:

Today God loves that I _______.