Sabbath Thought - Fear

Uncertainty in life brings fear.  We fear what we don't know or can't anticipate - and in the face of fear we seek reassurance that we will be OK.  But life can be very hard and intense at times - overwhelming family situations, great health trials, loss of loved ones, uncertain outcomes of potential life-changing situations.  We know that God allows circumstances in our life in order for us to grow into, to develop, and to take on His character - but a question of concern for many can be, what if I fail?

For a Christian, there is probably no bigger fear than the fear in that question.  Could difficulties of life cause us to lose our opportunity to be in God's family?  Rather than strengthen us, could our problems destroy us?  Could our difficulties in life separate us from God?  We are a little more than three weeks away from this years' Passover observance, and it is natural to consider our spiritual standing before God as we examine ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:28).  But - should we be fearful in our examination?

For baptized members of the Body of Christ, Passover should be a very sobering event.  It can be easy to become focused on our shortcomings, our sins or even our perceived lack of growth as we examine ourselves, but does God have us examine ourselves so that we can be reminded of how carnally human we are?  Based upon the whole of Scripture, the answer to those questions is "no".  So, what is the point of self-examination?

There are two main components.  The first is to make sure we are on track (like tests in schooling), to assess our progress (like reports to our boss on a project) and to evaluate what needs to be done to achieve our goal.  This self-examination is not so God can find reason to punish us.  As we repent, one of the hardest things for us is to forgive ourselves.  God is not like us however.  God is faithful to forgive our sins when we repent (1 John 1:9).  When God forgives us, it is as it is stated in Psalm 103:12 - "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."

The second component in our self-examination is so that we are able to more completely take on the mind of Christ and to continue to overcome.  While overcoming is our responsibility, God will help us with it if we do our part.  Our examination is so that we will continue to have a zeal for the calling God has given to us, because humanly it can be far too easy to give up.  God, however, is looking for us to succeed (rather than looking for us to fail) because from His perspective as long as we are in the "fight" we have already become part of His family (Romans 4:17b).  God has not, and will not ever, given up on us.  God has given us so much to be thankful for - physically and spiritually.  Do we see that as well in our examination?  The observance of Passover reminds us of the repentant heart we are to have every day of the year.  It reminds us of our baptism covenant and commitment before God.  God has covered our sin with the blood of His Son so we have no reason not to move forward in our spiritual growth. 

Fear is our greatest enemy - because when we dwell on our fear we are self-centered as opposed to God-focused (Matthew 6:26-30, Psalm 121:1-8, Deuteronomy 30:11-16).  Fear can bring - especially spiritual fear - a mindset that we have to control a situation, that we must fix a situation, or that our spiritual salvation is only up to us.  Fear, in this sense, is then a lack of trust or confidence in God, but He promises to help us in our calling (Isaiah 41:13, Joshua 1:1-7, 9).

As we examine ourselves before Passover (or any other time), that examination is not to bring us to fear.  God willingly sent us His Son for the forgiveness of our sins.  He desires for us to be with Him in His family for eternity.  God is willing to dwell in us, and if we yield to Him, if we obey Him and if we overcome our sins through Him, then we have nothing to fear.  There is much to be thankful for from God

I wish you a spiritually rewarding Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

10 March, 2023