- Overcomer Literature Trust
- Swindon
- Wiltshire
RESTING FROM DISTURBING FEARS.
By T C Upham
The soul that comes into union with our loving God will have rest from all disturbing fears. This is the meaning of Scripture where it reads, “there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear”, (1 John 4 v18). The effect of fear on a human is to destroy happiness, produce distrust, cause anxiety, damage friendships and ignore love. The believer can have rest from negative thoughts because of the promises of God.
When someone has entered into a relationship with our Lord and Saviour they can be free from the fear of going hungry and the fear of poverty, for example. Where faith and love are together then the Lord’s earthly supply will not fail. God will multiply the “widow’s jar of olive oil” when His people who trust in Him are hungry (2 Kings 4 v2). Another promise that applies here is found in the words of David who said, “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” (Psalm 37 v25).
The truth is that God will provide for His people and this fact will release us from fear. It is having belief and confidence that He WILL do it that frees us completely from fear. This is not all, the people of God are required to be willing to suffer for the sake of Christ, but we need to fully believe that all things work together for the good of those who love God, and in this the believer is freed from anxiety. Many are constantly in slavery to the fear of death, but as Christians we should look upon death as an end of sadness and the beginning of heavenly glory.
The believer who has been born-again is freed from the fear of other people. The enemy can use others to attack the believer but we must leave everything at the feet of Jesus Christ. Then we will fearlessly rejoice in the Spirit, knowing that when faith and patience have had their perfect work the Lord will always be our Defender.
Another fear found in the heart of the believer is the fear of displeasing God. This too can be removed from the believer’s life. It is beyond question that the truth of the Bible is eternal. The promise of the Lord, which is useful in every situation is, “perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4 v18). Where His love rules, all fears are extinguished.
We must understand that fear as a result of us feeling guilty is different from fear which refers to reverence for God. Certainly, when love is perfected in our hearts, all fear that comes from the guilt of sin is removed by the Holy Spirit. With His help it is possible to no longer fear. The Holy Spirit will help us to see that God is also our loving friend and Father. When the Children of God know this in their hearts they will delight to be with Him and to speak with Him. It is not the believer’s nature to flee from God because of the influence of sinful fear. Rather, the believer’s nature is that of an innocent child coming to a loving Father. The believer can then rest, like a calm and peaceful infant, but those who are in a state of fear, originating in sin, will keep the terrors of their human nature.
From ‘A Treatise of Divine Union’.