Fearless

I’m preparing for a 6-week Bible study/discussion of Max Lucado’s most recent book “Fearless.” This is a timely study because there is a lot to be fearful of in our world today. While we have positive signs that the economy is improving, there is still the sense that it wouldn’t take much to plunge us into a deeper recession. Terrorist activity is growing around the world and it is just a matter of time before the Jihadists get their hands on weapons of mass destruction. Governmental elites are preparing us for draconian measures to combat global warming. And we have a government that is in a hurry to burden us with as much debt and impose as much control over the private sector as they can get away with.

But there is no reason for followers of Jesus to fear any of this. God loves those who believe in Jesus as John 3:16 promises and “perfect love casts out fear” (I John 4:18, NKJ). God does not want us to live in fear but to know Him and trust in His power to deliver us from the worst this world has to offer. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

We should actually have joy in these fearful times because they provide great opportunities for Christians to help others see the practical benefits of following Jesus. God is in control and he has allowed things to develop the way they have to serve His purposes. We benefit from remembering what God has done to show us that He is in control and does indeed love us.

The Bible is full of miracles that reveal God intervening in the affairs of mankind. While this age is not characterized by the kind of spectacular miracles God used to authenticate His spokesmen, miracles are nonetheless abounding in our day. During this Age of Grace, it is especially important to remember that, “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

The greatest miracles in our day are the many people who are becoming followers of Jesus. this is clearly a miracle because as Jesus said, “no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father” (John 6:65). It is God who breathes live into our human spirits which changes our mind about Him. Jesus explained that, “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Being spiritually born is not something we can do for ourselves; it must be done for us by God. Fortunately Jesus also promised, “the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37).

For the discerning, God reveals Himself daily in the miracles of answered prayer. Unbelievers write off circumstances that are beyond coincidence as mere chance but those who know God know better. And we also have the many prophecies about Israel that are being fulfilled in our day which tells us we are close to the end of the Age of Grace. The realization of this does not bring comfort to the unbeliever because all who are outside God’s grace know it. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).

The good news in this world is that, “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21).