Healthy Fear

 

Healthy Fear

Hebrews ²⁶ For there is no longer any sacrifice that will take away sins if we purposely go on sinning after the truth has been made known to us. ²⁷ Instead, all that is left is to wait in fear for the coming Judgment and the fierce fire which will destroy those who oppose God! ²⁸ Anyone who disobeys the Law of Moses is put to death without any mercy when judged guilty from the evidence of two or more witnesses. ²⁹ What, then, of those who despise the Son of God? who treat as a cheap thing the blood of God's covenant which purified them from sin? who insult the Spirit of grace? Just think how much worse is the punishment they will deserve! ³⁰ For we know who said, “I will take revenge, I will repay”; and who also said, “The Lord will judge his people.” ³¹ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

 

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“This same job again?!” I said to myself. I was tired of cleaning after people and felt stuck doing so. One guy suggested I sneak off work. I feared doing that, but the thought kept running through my mind. Weeks later, I said I would do it. I hurried through my work and snuck away.

 

• I had lost my fear of getting fired.
• I had gotten comfortable with doing wrong.
• I had lost sight of what I was supposed to be doing.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, gives a stern warning over believing in the SON of GOD. He implies the importance of needing either the Law or JESUS to remove the consequences of sin. He shows how ineffective the Law is towards removing sin. He then turns to JESUS being the only effective one who can absolve us from sin. Getting comfortable with disbelief will be dealt with harshly.

 

My Observations:

• My fear of the LORD is the beginning of my wisdom.
• I should fear taking JESUS actions lightly.
• Every one of my sins are forgiven, but I should not be ready to continue in sin.

 

When led by the HOLY SPIRIT, I no longer get comfortable with my sin. I mean, I get this feeling that I am doing something wrong and I feel I need to not do this particular sin, this time. I feel relieved when GOD guides me away or places a barrier in the way of my blatant sin.

 

Unhealthy fear to me is when I fear humans or job loss or money loss more than fearing belief in JESUS.  The HOLY SPIRIT whispers “don’t do that” when it comes to sin. I ignore the voice and instantly feel awful. I usually feel better when I heed HIS voice. My biggest fear is not trusting in the LORD. I am grateful for HIS forgiveness.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about GOD’s judgment?
• Have you ever gotten comfortable with sin?
• Will you ask GOD for help in areas where you need HIM so HE will guide you to HIS places of refuge today?

With or Without

 With or Without

2 Timothy 2: ¹¹ This is a true saying:

“If we have died with him,
    we shall also live with him.
¹² If we continue to endure,
    we shall also rule with him.
If we deny him,
    he also will deny us.
¹³ If we are not faithful,
    he remains faithful,
    because he cannot be false to himself.”

 

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Hearing a motivational speech at work made me excited. The speaker ended the speech with “Are you with me?” Of course I said in my mind “Yes!” because the speech was riveting. Afterwards I worked a little longer that day and days following.

 

• I was fully bought in.
• I changed my habits because I was motivated.
• I “believed” in the company because I was part of something “big.”

 

Paul continues his letter to Timothy by providing contrasting truths. On one hand if believers in CHRIST give up their life for CHRIST, then a promise of life is given. In contrast, if people deny CHRIST, HE will deny them.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s words seem harsh but provide choice which shows how much HE loves me.
• I can choose to believe there is a loving GOD who died for me and was raised from the dead.
• Endurance in CHRIST provides me with a connection to GOD that is powerful.

 

Self-protection gets in the way of having a wonderful relationship with GOD. I mean, when I want “everything” to go “my” way, I try to make GOD be something that HE is not. I then seek for other gods to replace HIM because my heart is too hard to allow HIM to guide it. BUT GOD is the ultimate softener of hearts.

 

GOD can reach the most calloused souls and bring him or her around to really seek HIM on their own. HE does not need people to brow beat others into heaven, rather HE wants me to have a desire that all humans be saved. Those without CHRIST may not understand this and will look at the desire as strange. I am glad GOD has given me the ability to endure.

 

Challenge

• What endurance is the writer speaking of?
• Have you ever questioned your relationship with JESUS?
• Will you know in your heart that JESUS loved you enough to die for you and is alive and remains faithful to you even when you are not faithful to HIM?

Recognized

Recognized

John 18: ¹⁵ And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. ¹⁶ But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. ¹⁷ Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?”

He said, “I am not.”

¹⁸ Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

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“Aren’t you the person in charge of the department?” someone said to me. “Thank you for helping us” were the words that made me crave more recognition. As I walked the convention floor, other people recognized me. “Is this how celebrities feel?” I wondered.

• It felt great being recognized by people who were cheering.
• It felt wonderful to be recognized by those who I helped.
• It felt nice to be recognized for something positive.

Peter and another disciple followed JESUS. One disciple was known for being with JESUS, so he went in without fear. Peter, on the other hand was sacred of being recognized, so he stayed out. A servant girl recognized Peter and pointed out his association with JESUS. Peter denied the relationship publicly.

• JESUS wants me to be recognized for my relationship with HIM.
• JESUS wants me to speak about HIM boldly without worrying about the consequence of humans.
• JESUS wants me to associate myself with HIM and go through things with HIM, versus being on the outside, leaving HIM alone.

Disassociation is easy to do with humans who have “messed up.” I mean if most people agree this person is a scoundrel, it is easy to get away from that person. BUT GOD was labeled a scoundrel. HE had only one disciple who followed HIM into the courtyard, willing to face death.

Being recognized because of JESUS is a thing of honor. I mean when I stand in front of GOD, I believe HE will ask “How many people did you tell about MY SON?” HE won’t ask about houses, cars, clothes, jewelry, phones or accumulated wealth. JESUS wants a relationship with me. I desire to be bold with JESUS.

• Does mentioning JESUS seem awkward to you?
• Do you speak about HIS death and resurrection to others regularly?
• Will you allow GOD to make you more bold about your relationship with JESUS, instead of being comfortable?