To Fear or Fear Not? That's not the Question

"If you are not a Christian does the benefits of not having fear because of God apply to you?

If you have rejected the Lord Jesus Christ who is our only Savior, if you reject Him as your Savior, you have rejected life at it’s best. You have rejected eternal life. You have rejected the love of God. You have rejected His will, His purpose and plan for your life. You have rejected the best of life. You have rejected life as God Almighty intended for you. You’ve got a lot to be afraid of. Because one of these days you’re going to die and when you die, here’s what the Bible says “It is appointed unto man once to die, then after this the judgment” You have lots of reasons to be afraid. But you don’t have to. If you are willing to ask the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins, seriously, you mean it. Asking Him to forgive you not on the basis that you’re going to do all these things for him. On the basis that when He went to the cross He paid your sin debt in full. He intended to take away these fears. And give you a peace and an assurance and a confidence to face anything in life. No matter what it is. That’s who He is. And the moment that you trust Him as your Savior All that you’ve heard of Him taking away your fears can become a reality in your life."  - Dr. Charles Stanley March 28 2020

My dear reader, my friend across the way, which are you this morning, afternoon or evening that it is for you?

In this hour of dread across the globe, there's much we are being told to be afraid of with this virus.  But it doesn't follow that we must be.  We are called to be wise, but not wise in our own understanding.  God gave us a brain with the expectation that we would use it. 

Christians should have the assurances of Jesus in this hour of humanity.  Indeed regardless of the world outlook, fear is far from me. Concern, of course, taking wise steps to protect myself and others for sure.  But fear isn't there.  Jesus didn't give those in Christ a Spirit of fear.  He promised to provide a peace that passes all understanding in this life.  To Christians all over, His promises have never been broken.  In Scripture we have countless promises that are as true today as they were back then when they were written.  

As Dr. Stanley puts it from his sermon, if you are not a Christian none of the benefits of a relationship with Jesus apply to you.  You, my dear reader, have everything to be afraid of. 

In this hour, the purifying power of God is impacting the whole world.  The fire has been turned up.  Impurities are becoming evident.  As the dross accumulates, He removes it. He's keeping His promise to sanctify the Saints.  To make those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone more like Him.  Jesus is and always will be a promise keeper. 

Read again that quote from Dr. Stanley's sermon.  My friend settle it right here, right now.  You see, in Scripture it does mention the comparison of purifying silver.  Read up on how that is done in the physical world. There's a distinct moment when it's the right time to remove the silver, because it's ready.  When Christ returns, there will be no second chances, no take backs. No way to beg for one more chance to believe.  He comes, it's game over.  The events of Daniel and Revelation will come to bare and judgment will be felt by all.  The exception is Christians.  They won't be here.  We won't be here. I won't be here.  Jesus is my Savior.  He is my God, my best friend.  The one who knows everything about me, forgives me, loves me as His own. I am His. 

I was reading in Luke 5 today.  In it is the story of Jesus's encounter with Peter for the first time.  After telling Peter and his companions to set out from the shore so that He can teach, after finishing He tells them to let out their nets for a catch.  They reluctantly do so probably because something Jesus taught got through. The seeds of belief were firmly planted.  The nets almost broke the catch was so big.  Peter implores Jesus to go away from him. He's not worthy to receive such blessings.  Jesus's response was to say that from now on they will be fisher's of men.  This morning God showed me that what Jesus really said was "No, my friend, you are My beloved.  We have much to do together. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Now, I will begin to teach and you are My student. My Disciple. I love you."

So where are you at this time?  Leaning on Jesus or leaning on nothing?  That's really the two options.  Live in the fears of this world or live in Christ.  

Be wise, obeying what your being told, keeping physical distance from each other, but also not disregarding.  Jesus is probably asking many why they didn't heed what they were told.  Likewise many probably asking Jesus why He didn't save them.  Again, He gave us a brain, use it 

Today you have before you two ways of life. If you are not a Christian, I pray you really have a heart to heart with yourself and ask yourself why not.