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?

Fear for Strength

Fear for Strength

Acts 5: ²⁶ Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. ²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, ²⁸ saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”

²⁹ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. ³¹ Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³² And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

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In a certain country, the rule was “No proselytizing.” In other words, “Do not preach about JESUS” or face the consequences. This bothered me because we were on a missions trip to do exactly that. “LORD what do YOU want me to do?” I asked. Then a way was made. If the locals asked about my faith, then I could explain what I believed. One person did, then another. It was all worked out.

• There were times when I was scared to present my belief in JESUS.
• There were times when I felt driven to present how JESUS saved me from eternal death.
• There were times when I saw the opposition to presenting the great news about JESUS.

The church leaders took a weak position on fear. They worried about what the people thought so they quietly sneaked the apostles away. Their fear was because of their murderous actions and their eternally deadly stance on disbelieving JESUS as Savior. They were full of weak fear.

• GOD wants me to fear not telling people about HIM.
• GOD wants me to fear not following what HE tells me to do.
• GOD wants me to fear not believing in JESUS as my Savior.

When GOD tells me to do something contrary to what humans say, HE wants me to obey HIM. HIS voice is that of love and salvation, not harm or pain. Some people do things in the name of GOD, but are really acting in their own power like those who murdered JESUS.

GOD sees the heart and fills it with the desire to speak about HIM at all costs. But this can only happen to those who believe in JESUS as their Savior. To those, HE freely gives the HOLY SPIRIT. I am grateful GOD gives me purpose.

• Are you acting on your own desires without consulting GOD?
• Do you think your actions are pleasing to GOD?
• Will you start fearing what GOD says to do over any human thought little by little today?