“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life” (Proverbs 14:27).[i] This type of godly fear is best defined as “awe, reverence, or honor.” However, when Yeshua (Jesus) instructed His followers not to be fearful, He was talking about a fear that mistrusts the Father: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). If we are going to have a relationship with our Father, it cannot be based on fear. We should have a passionate drive to be around Him and stand in His presence. Christ partook of flesh and blood “that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives” (Hebrews 2:14-15). Fear enslaves you, but Christ came to set us free.
We are a privileged generation to walk with God through these end-time events, so we must get rid of fear and mistrust because it is blocking the Kingdom. Historically, the Church used fear tactics with “hellfire and brimstone” preaching to make people accept the salvation message. As a result, converts came to the altar motivated by the fear of eternal damnation. It is like the Scared Straight program tactics of today to deter juvenile crime. When I hear people talk about the Rapture, I sense this same spirit of fear. People are terrified of being “left behind” and facing the Great Tribulation. Already we are seeing pestilence and other impending world disasters. But we will also witness marvelous signs and wonders as God pours out His Spirit on all mankind (Joel 2:28). Trust Him!
“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Romans 8:15).
It is the time of God’s presence, His Parousia. Christ is coming to deliver you from fear because He loves you and there is a power in His love that overrides every other thing. If we could face the love of God in its raw form, it would melt away any bondages around us. I want us to abandon our deep fears and experience this Scripture: “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16). This amazing love of God gives us “boldness and confident access through faith in Him” (Ephesians 3:12). The world is fearful and under bondage to satanic lies. However, when people see the love of God in the Body of Christ, they will drop whatever they are in to be in the presence of that kind of intense love. Perfect love casts out all fear. It will cause people to change their behavior. If we abide in Him, the love of God will be perfected in us (1 John 4:12). Christ came to break us free from fear. His perfect love for us casts out all fear and condemnation (1 John 4:18). Fear not, little flock! God is beaming His love to us. His love is our deliverance in the name of the Lord!
[i] All Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995).