- Overcomer Literature Trust
- Swindon
- Wiltshire
THE FEARLESS MUST FEAR.
By Charles A Epperson
Ever since Adam sinned, hid himself from God and said “I was afraid” (Genesis 3 v 10), each of his descendants has tried to hide from God. They imagine they are hiding, for the Lord sees everything, and they only emerge when the Holy Spirit breathes new life into them. The redemptive work of the Cross that delivers us from fear begins with the fear of the Lord. Jehovah was pleased to grant King Solomon his request of wisdom, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and this fear never ends. If it does, wisdom also ceases. Isaiah 8 verse 13 says, “the Lord almighty is the One you are to regard as holy, He is the One you are to fear, He is the One you are to dread”. Psalm 31 verse 19 declares, “How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you”.
The cure for fear is found in the Lord’s marvellous grace which is seen in Titus 2 verses 11 to 13, “for the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to Godless and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ”.
“’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!” (John Newton).
The key is that there is no salvation from fear except for those who are taught to fear the Lord. Grace first taught me to fear death and the wrath to come, and then relieved me of that fear.
The Gospel is good news and no one is fearful of happy news, but we are not ready for the “good news of great joy” until we have heard the frightening news about ourselves. It is frightening to hear that “all have sinned” but it is good news that our Lord Jesus Christ who had no sin died for us. It is not good news that the soul that sins will die, but it is good news that whoever believes on Jesus shall have everlasting life. It is frightening to learn that all will die and then the judgement will follow, but it is good news that, “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him” (Hebrews 9 v28). It is good news that Christ lived in a mortal body prepared for Him and that He died, “so that by His death He might break the power of him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2 v14-15).
The fear of death and the day of judgement of God is taken away in Jesus, “who rescues us from the coming wrath” (1 Thessalonians 1 v10). This grace of God that brings freedom to those who are lost and in fear, allows them to sing for joy that their fear is removed. John Owen, once said it this way, “the death of death is the death of Christ”. Christ died so that I would not fear death. He lives so that I would not fear life. He lives within us so that we would not fear anything.
There is another fear, it is the fear of the judgement seat of Christ. We should not forget that the Lord will inspect His vineyard and the Teacher must examine His class. Those believers with one talent must give an account just as those who have two talents or more. “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God” (Romans 14 v 12). “Their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer lose but yet will be saved — even though only as one escaping through the flames” (1 Corinthians v13-15). These are frightening words.
The Judge is described in Revelation. He stands in the midst of the seven lampstands and calls the churches to repent. His eyes are like blazing fire and they will search the motivation of each believer on that day. We are sometimes given to thinking that His love is too soft to be firm with us, but He is Judge as well as Father. However, there is relief from this fear of judgement if we let His loving eyes look into our lives before that day.
Another fear we must look at is the fear of sinning. Grace never makes a person comfortable in sin. The apostles did not counsel or comfort sinners. Those who were outside the early Church were afraid to join such holy people. Those inside were afraid to lie to the Holy Spirit, the example of Ananias and Sapphira was a warning to all of them. Today many believers are generally not afraid of sinning. We often let society adjust our standards for us. Psychologists examine people’s perversions and sins, and having found the causes they then excuse them. The church overlooks what it cannot change, but God is a Holy God. To Him sin is a terrible thing. It is still, “a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10 v31).
If you are not in reverent fear and awe of the Lord, you should be. There is a divine promise on the basis of the Cross that is for you, “for sin shall no longer be your master” (Romans 6 v14). You do not have to live in condemnation, you are liberated by the Blood of Christ. The Passover Lamb was sacrificed for you and you are not meant to stay in Egypt. The Word has proclaimed that you are no longer a slave and you do not need to serve the old master, the old habits and the old way of life (Galatians 4 v7).
Finally, we should have a Godly fear of success that avoids the Cross and the call to suffer for the Lord’s name. We must fear being distracted by the world and all that is not of “His light shining in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4 v6). We should be cautious of security that causes the wealthy to glory in their riches, or the successful in their success. Fear any security that is not supplied by the Lord, and that does not need counsel from Wisdom or fellowship from the Holy Spirit.
Trust God fully and commit yourself completely to Him. Do not fear obeying Him and if there is suffering because of that obedience then look at the nail-scarred hands and tender heart of our loving Lord. “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1 v7). His perfect love casts out our fear.
From ‘The Alliance Witness’.
“Fear not for I am with you” (Isaiah 41 v10).