We spend too much of our lives in fear. We fear violence, terrorism, being disliked or ridiculed. We fear speaking up for justice or being the dissenting opinion in a crowd of peers. Some fear dying, while others fear being alone. Still others fear being forgotten, passed over, overlooked, or ignored. We fear financial markets and technology. There are so many things about which so many are afraid. This isn’t the way God designed us to live.
He created us to be more than conquerors (Romans 8:37), with a spirit of boldness, not timidity (2 Timothy 1:7). You were created to love, not fear (1 John 4:18). Since God is for us, we know nothing can stand against us (Romans 8:31). As long as we are living our lives in the pursuit and will of God, we have nothing to fear.
A.W. Tozer once wrote, “The only fear I have is to fear to get out of the will of God. Outside of the will of God, there’s nothing I want, and in the will of God there’s nothing I fear, for God has sworn to keep me in His will. If I’m out of His will, that is another matter. But if I’m in His will, He’s sworn to keep me.” The key to having nothing to fear then, is to stay in the will of God.
The will of God is that we live our lives like Jesus. We love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27). We are in the will of God when we love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). Jesus told us if we loved Him we would obey Him (John 14:15). He also said we demonstrate our love for Him by feeding the hungry, providing water for the thirsty, shelter for the homeless, and clothing for the poor (Matthew 25:31-46). He commanded us to care for the sick, the orphan, and the widow, and to minister to those in prison (James 1:27; Matthew 25:31-46). Living in such a way assures us we are in the will of God, and in doing so we will have nothing to fear.
The greatest of all acts is love (I Corinthians 13:13). Jesus demonstrated His love for us by dying on our behalf (Romans 5:8). If He is our Lord, we will, in turn, demonstrate love to everyone we encounter, be they friend or foe, family or enemy. All people are equal in the eyes of God and all are deserving of our love and compassion.
When we are in the will of God, we have nothing to fear. What can man do to us (Hebrews 13:6)? The worst man can do is to bring us closer into the presence of Christ. If they berate us, it should only drive us to our knees in prayer. If they kill us we will be in the presence of our Savior. We truly have nothing to fear. If you find yourself fearful in life, make certain you are living your life in the will of God. Are you putting Him first and serving others before yourself? God’s grace and love have been given to us so we might share it with others. Don’t be afraid. Jesus will never leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). You have nothing to fear.