HOW TO OVERCOME ALL FEAR, or, THE CONFIDENCE OF THE TRUE CHRISTIAN
November 11, 2019
All of us live with lots of fear in life. One of the greatest fears is “Do I have what it takes?” We want to know—as a man/woman, dad/mom, husband/wife, employee/employer, student/teacher—do I have what it takes to do what’s required?
The answer of course, is “no.” On your own you are completely incapable. In fact, Jesus said that, apart from Him, you could do nothing (John 15).
THE GLORIOUS UNION
But with Him, we can do anything! “I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me,” Paul said (Philippians 4:13).
This union is gained through surrender to His Lordship and leadership over our lives. It begins with our initial salvation and the entrance of His Spirit into our lives. But it continues with a daily, hourly submission to the Christ who lives within us to live His life through us. The glorious, empowering union.
CONFIDENCE VERSES FEAR
This realization—fully embraced—overcomes fear on every level! Notice how Paul says this in Hebrews, Chapter 10:
19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,
20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
As a united believer with Christ, I can walk in absolute confidence that ...
- I have complete access to the presence of God (which gives me everything I will ever need or want)
- I have a High Priest (Jesus) who is daily interceding on my behalf. He is my advocate (and has never lost a case!)
- My heart has been cleansed by His blood; therefore I have peace facing God
- I have eternal hope which I can hold on to, because God is faithful to all that He has promised me (and there are over 7,000 promises in His Word covering every situation I will ever face!)
- I have others around me that will help me—the body of Christ—giving me literal, physical help. And I also have a great purpose, as I can also help and encourage those around me toward this confidence that overcomes fear
- The “day is drawing near” when the Lord returns or I go to be with Him in heaven and all difficulties, fears, and problems will be forever gone!
I can and should live with NO FEAR! If I’m a true believer and am living in fear it’s because I have forgotten (or never seen) what I have in Christ.
So, go out and face today with confidence! You have all you need in Christ!
