Fear Doesn't Live Here Anymore.

"Fear is the flip side of idolatry. When you believe that there is something bigger than God, when you believe that something is going to be more dangerous than God's safety, it grips you and it terrorizes you. No wonder the Bible talks about 'fear not'." -Rev. Dr. Sam Vassel

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (Second Timothy 1:7, King James Version)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam reminded us of the danger of living in fear.  Zechariah said of God, "He has raised up a horn of salvation for us" (Luke 1:69a). God, by His power, brings to light the promises given to His people. Our pastor shared that God has broken into history in order to free us, and part of that freedom includes deliverance from fear.

Pastor Sam also mentioned a point that I'd like us to reflect on today. In much of our Christmas imagery we focus on Jesus as an infant. Infancy connotes a sense of helplessness and complete dependence. But we must always keep in mind that Jesus, though He chose to enter humanity in this way, is still the King in the kingdom of God. He holds all power and authority. There is none greater than He. As we rest in His greatness, we lose all fear.

There is a Negro spiritual that reminds us of our need to recognize Jesus in His greatness and power, even as we are surrounded by icons depicting His humanity. A poignant line in the song says, "Sweet little Holy Child, we didn' know who You was." When we live in fear, our conduct indicates that we really don't know the greatness of the One we call Lord and Savior. The enemy of our souls uses fear: a) to keep us from entering into the promises of God; and/or b) to make us think that Jesus is still a baby incapable of rescuing His people. But we are called to reject all fear and instead embrace faith in our Lord and Christ, who saves us.

Are you freed from fear?

"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us... to rescue us from the hands of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all of our days." (see Luke 1:67-75)