Many people struggle throughout life because they fear something. Fear can be crippling. Fear keeps us from taking risks. It keeps us in our comfort zone, never really striving to become better. We can fear many things, but fear of holding onto what is good and right keeps many people from seeking God. I’ve known many people who live in a constant state of fear and their fear takes over.
One of the most repeated commands throughout the Bible is, “fear not.” Fear leads to anxiety and will take our focus off of God and His kingdom. Can you imagine if the apostles feared losing their livelihood when Jesus called them to follow him? What would have happened if they gave up when John the Baptist was beheaded? Or if they quit preaching when they were threatened and put in prison? Not only did they refuse to give in to fear, but they conquered great things by placing their trust in God!
John says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (1 John 4:18 ESV). Whoever fears has not been perfected in love. What a powerful statement! When we have been perfected in Christ’s love for us we no longer have anything to fear. Remember when Paul said, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” He stared danger in the eye because he was not afraid. He trusted in God and that is how he was able to keep straining toward the goal. When we allow God’s love for us to be perfected, we no longer fear man. We will accomplish great things for the kingdom every time!