May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (1 Thessalonians 3:12, 13 NIV)
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ . . . not frightened in anything by your opponents (Philippians 1:27-28).
I spent the day and into the evening going back to what I wrote about yesterday. Fear. One of those phantoms that we all battle in some way, and something that Christ knew we would deal with, as he spoke of it quite often. In contrast to how fear uses us, look at those words Paul penned to the church at Philipa. What an encouragement. What a simple way to encourage us to become fearless. Think about it. If we believe God is in control, then he is in control of not only us,but also our opponents, which mean we as long as we bring Glory to him we have no need to worry about our opponents. God has that covered.
What are we afraid of?
I have thought lately about some of Jesus’ last words on this Earth. During that time he provided his followers a vision and a directive.
18-20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20 The Message (MSG)
As I think about that, I realize I do a whole lot of going out, but I wonder how much training, or disciple making I do. This is quite a paradox actually, since I think I really believe that this message is life changing, yet I find myself too reserved to mention this idea to people who have no clue about how it can free your life. It’s even more confusing when I think I reserved or fearful when I have the God of the Universe on my side.
I am trying to figure out how to decapitate that fear and move forward. It’s a weakness that bugs me more than my inability to sing, and today is a great opportunity to work on that.
How about you – is there something holding you back? He is with you, you know.