Fear No Fear

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

“But you are those who have continued with me in my trials. I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Luke 22:28-30 (emphasis added)

We are not the Twelve. We did not strive with Jesus through His trials. Through the years hounded by Pharisees and Sadducees. Through the insults and nitpicking. Through His family thinking He was crazy. Through the temptations and turmoil. Walking with Him through miraculous deeds. Sharing in the anointing that was on Him. Walking with Him right up to His betrayal. Witnessing His suffering and death. We will not sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel – not least because most of the church are Gentiles, not Jews. What is there for us then? A promise that is echoed elsewhere in the Word.

“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” (Colossians 3:23-24). We are promised reward again and again – but before you get too excited remember that Jesus talked about those who continued with trials. In fact, in the next verse (Colossians 3:25) it says “But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality” Those who strive and run the race to righteousness (right standing with the Lord) will be rewarded. Those who do not, or do the opposite, will also get something. Either no reward, or the punishment their actions justly earned. Our words are important, but so are our actions and our thoughts. Jesus strove on all levels to remain faithful and succeeded. In HIM, we too can succeed if we’ll lean into Him.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). The New English Translation starts “My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials” (vs 2). All joy. That’s full joy. Greatest joy. Celebrating the opportunity to stand on your faith. God brings NO temptations of ANY kind (James 1:13), but He allows trials. It is OUR job to stand on the Word. If we do, the devil will flee (James 4:7) and the trial will be over. This is what Jesus did. He IS the Overcomer (John 16:33). In HIM, we too can overcome. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Jesus said that He would never leave us (Hebrews 13:5), and that is why we have been given His Spirit (John 14:16).

More and more, society is becoming a thorn in the side of the church. Something poking at us. Something clawing at the doors. Something that is trying to pull down our effectiveness. If we compromise, we will be less effective. Why should anyone come to Christ if they believe that they will simply have what they have now, and without any restrictions? It would make no sense. We are different from the world, not samesies. It isn’t easy for us to do. There are hard choices to make. Say the things that make people FEEL better about their choices, or say the things that are TRUTH about their choices – in LOVE, not spite, hate, or distaste. It is our business to speak the truth, not judge them. The world pushes back at truth. Hard. “Blessed is a person who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). When the Lord promises a crown, you know it was earned. When we earn it through temptation and trials, you know they will not be a walk in the park.

Again and again, though, we are told not to FEAR those trials and temptations. It is because Jesus has made a way. Abide in HIM and be victorious in all things. In JESUS there is no failure. In JESUS there is no defeat. In JESUS there is no FEAR. In JESUS there is nothing but peace. We don’t need to fear, because we already have the answer to everything. Every problem, every temptation, every trial, every issue, every worry, every negative. Jesus is ALL the answers because in Him everything can be done (Philippians 4:13). Jesus makes us who we are. Jesus has a blueprint for who the Father wants us to be and works with the Spirit and us to head us in that direction (Matthew 11:28-30). If we are anything, it is because of Him. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

The Lord makes us who we are. The Lord has a path for us to walk. The Lord has tasks for us to do. The Lord Overcomes the world. The Lord has victory over both death, hell, and the grave (Revelation 1:18). “What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). There is no reason to fear or be subservient to feelings of fear, anxiety, depression, stress, or anything else if we indeed believe these things are true. “He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? Who could bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:32-34). Think of that position. That is the position that you occupy. Jesus is interceding for you to the Father – face to face. Pointing out again and again who we are in Him. Defeating in the Heavenly Court every dart, accusation, and dig of the enemy (Isaiah 54:17).

We’ve talked about the sower who sowed the Word and where we can sit on that spectrum. The parable always ends in the same place. Good soil. The Word, when it lands in good soil, producers. When it lands in people who aren’t just talkers, but walkers yoked to Jesus (James 1:22-25). We need to feed on the Word. Talking Communion daily as a manifested reminder of the food and drink we need to spiritually live (John 6:35, 53-58). What does that do to us? It enables us to flourish in ways we could never imagine before. “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree. He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in Yahweh’s house. They will flourish in our God’s courts. They will still produce fruit in old age. They will be full of sap and green, to show that Yahweh is upright. He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him” (Psalm 92:12-15).

We age, but we don’t deteriorate (Romans 8:10-11). We walk, but don’t faint (Isaiah 40:31). He renews us. He restores us. He watches over us. He walks with us. He maintains us. He loves us. How can we fear? Seriously?!? How?? If you get this in you, you will never, ever, EVER fear because these verses will be recalled to your mind every time fear rears its head (John 14:26). And that is a direct promise of Jesus. James agreed with it when he reminded us what to do: stand on the Word, resist the devil, and the devil takes off as fast as he can – my paraphrase. He cheeses it. Hard. Because he CANNOT stand against the Word. He can harass US. He can tempt US. He can take advantage of temptation that he has nothing to do with, but is there at our door. He can take advantage of natural circumstances. Natural disasters and issues. He can do that. But he CANNOT stand up against the Word. He can pretend it isn’t hurting him if it is important enough – he managed three whole hits when he was tempting Jesus – but sooner or later (sooner, always) he WILL flee. We don’t have that power. The WORD has that power because Jesus IS the Word and the Word IS Jesus (John 1:14).

He invites us to eat and drink at His spiritual table NOW (Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:17-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). If we endure in Him, we will be rewarded with a spiritually physical meal in His Kingdom in the future. “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules. The farmer who labors must be the first to get a share of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the offspring of David, according to my Good News, in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained. Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. If we are faithless, he remains faithful; for he can’t deny himself.” Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord that they don’t argue about words to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear” (2 Timothy 2:3-14).

“Continued with me in my trials” (Luke 22:28). That’s what Jesus said. Spiritually speaking, we aren’t doing this. Jesus is doing this and we’re along for the ride. This isn’t OUR trial. This isn’t OUR work. This isn’t OUR problem. This isn’t OUR victory. This isn’t OUR stakes. They’re Jesus’. His problem. His work. His victory. His stakes. His trials. But He wants to do it WITH us because the Father decreed that He does things WITH His creation (Ephesians 2:10, Isaiah 46:10, 1 Corinthians 1:27-28, Genesis 28:15). WITH GOD, hand in hand, NOTHING is impossible (Matthew 19:26). God speaks the end result. Our job is to submit to His will – whether we understand what He is about or not – and go where He says, when He says, and how He says.

Knowing He has spoken the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9-10). Knowing He chose us before the foundations of creation (1 Peter 1:17-21). Knowing He is both the beginning and the ending (Revelation 22:13). Knowing that our names are inscribed on His actual hands (Isaiah 49:16). Knowing that He sent Jesus not to judge us, but to save the whole world (John 3:17-18). Knowing that, make the choice to believe it and to receive it (Mark 11:24). This is what we pray for. This is what we worship for. The Lord God Almighty BEING the Lord God Almighty. Our guide. Our counsellor. Our intercessor. Our priest. Our Saviour. Our Lord. Our God. Fear? Ha! No fear here. Fear can take its place with death and the grave. Overcome, unnecessary, and NOT part of my life, my future, or ANY of the plans of the LORD for me, for you, or for anyone. Walk with Jesus, endure in Him, and be the overcomer He makes us to be in His sacrifice and resurrection.

Daily Affirmation of God’s Love: Galatians 5:4-6

What is the matter with us as people? Why do we like rules so much? Sadly, the reason why is that we want to quantify our behaviour. To measure our success. To be able to say, look at how good I am doing. Now it is true that when we are obedient and faithful we have a ‘good job’ waiting for us in heaven from our Father (Matthew 25:23). But it isn’t being measured by any metric that we can understand beyond one: love. Faith is the air of the Kingdom and it works on and through love. First commandment is to love God above and before all else with everything you have to give. Second is to love one another. Everything in the Law and everything in Righteousness hangs on these two points. Love is the metric by which we are measured because love is what makes faith work and faith is that by which we do everything we are to do. Still we are looking for ways to say what a good job we’re doing. Well, love means submission to the Lord. Love means submission to each other in love. Love means commitment. Love means decisions. Love means a lot of things that we don’t know love means until we get some Word on it. Plant it in the Word and see what grows out of your spirit. Instead of waiting impatiently for the manifestation of the want (physical, financial, spiritual, mental, or emotional) you’ve prayed for, love the Lord on it. Acceptance of His time, His promises, and His Word on it – the answer might surprise you. Don’t measure your success by things, words, deeds, or thoughts. Measure them by love. Love that brings repentance. Love that brings peace. Love that gets us in line with the Lord. When you’re feeling a disconnect, love on Him awhile. The cares will fall away and you’ll be standing in the Son-shine of the rock of His Word (Matthew 24:35). Repentant, renewed, and ready (1 John 2:17).

Your Daily Confession of God’s love to YOU:

Today God loves that I _______.