Those Who Abide In Christ Have Nothing To Fear

There is little doubt that you have already heard a message or two on why Christians should not be fearful during this pandemic. Truth be told, our minds are constantly challenged with thoughts that something could go wrong in times like this. Moreover, the many changes we are having to adjust to create increased stress as we have to deal with new norms, while missing old ones, as we continue to experience challenged conditions. However, for those of us who truly abide in Christ, we have nothing to fear in our lives here on earth. Furthermore, it is important to realize that even though this pandemic may be temporary, things are never going to return to what we considered as normal prior to this adversity.

Nevertheless, this pandemic provides a time for us as the Body of Christ to pull together to encourage one another all the more. We can be confident that God is in control and working things out for our good in spite of present conditions. "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). Therefore, we must place our full faith in Him as we humbly seek to serve Him at this time and under all future adversities. Our commitment to serve Christ is a daily life of surrender to do the will of our Father in heaven and not just a weekend event as many believe and practice.

Far too many people think that if they just go to a church each week, spend a little time reading their bibles, pray each day (more than just at meal time), and tell people that they are Christians will actually make them a citizen of heaven. However, this is just not true as for many this life can be summed up as nothing more than a life of religion practice. In reality, anyone can choose do these things whether they have a personal relationship with Jesus or not. True believers, those who are completely sold out to follow Christ each and every day, may do these things, but not out of duty or weekly practice. The term "Christian" can be defined as one who is like Christ. Therefore, "Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked" (1 John 2:6). However, to do this we must first define what it means to abide in Christ.

Jesus said, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:4-8).

Therefore, to abide in Christ means that you are spiritually connected to Jesus and in doing so will bear the fruit of the Spirit. Moreover, this connection can only happen when we fully surrender our lives in this world for a life "in Christ" forevermore. Yet, this connection is not, as many believe, through a simple prayer to keep one out of hell. Instead, it is a complete submission of our lives for the rest of our days. This means that our time becomes His time, our purpose becomes His purpose, and our very life becomes His life for Him to do with as He wills. Furthermore, we must be willing to give up our plans and dreams, worldly desires, friends, and even family if we must to follow Jesus. Consequently, this decision must be pure and true from our heart. In truth, no one can fool God as we know He sees our true intentions. Hence, God knows if you are serious or just saying the words.

Therefore, those who do fully surrender are true disciples of Christ with nothing more to fear forevermore. Your life is now His life and we can delight in knowing He is in control. We must learn to, by faith, boldly trusting in Him through everything we encounter here on earth. "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7). Jesus said, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Luke 12:25). "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28). Therefore, the greatest thing for mankind to fear here on earth is the wrath of God's judgement on those who have refused the gospel refusing to surrender their lives in this world to follow Jesus the Christ.

The gospel of Mark illustrates for us that fear is nothing more than a lack of faith. One day while in a boat on the open sea a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped. At that time, Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. The disciples were filled with fear and woke Him saying, "Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?" "Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. "Silence!" He commanded. "Be still!" And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. "Why are you so afraid?" He asked. "Do you still have no faith?"" (Mark 4:39-40). After that, the disciples were filled with a new fear as they asked one another, "Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" They had learned to fear God more than anything within this world.

Therefore, we who are in Christ have nothing to fear in this world. Paul wrote, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Thus, what do we have to fear knowing we will be in heaven the moment we depart this world. Jesus said, "If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done" (Matthew 16:24-27).

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