SOMETHING OF SIGNIFICANCE SERIES:

 

THE FORCE OF FAITH VERSUS THE FORCE OF FEAR           

 

Faith forecasts what we do want and Fear forecasts what we do not want!

 

Hebrews 11:1-2 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  By it, men of old gained approval!”

 

Luke 12:32: “Fear not little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

 

Can’t you just hear God’s heart and desire to be involved with peoples’ lives?  Jesus urged his followers not to fear because it was the Father’s pleasure to do good things for them and Hebrews says people with faith got God’s attention and approval!

 

I heard someone say this week that when we have faith in God and his promises, it gives him so much gratification! 

 

That is great news because Hebrews 11:6 also says: “He is a rewarder of those that earnestly and sincerely seek Him.”

 

Sounds like spending time with our Father and having Faith in His Word is a WIN/WIN proposition! 

 

But, where did Fear originate? 

 

The first-time fear is mentioned in the Bible is when Eve believed the lie Satan told her about God.  The lie basically was:  God does not really have your best interests at heart!  In Genesis 3: 9-10 “But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?  He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid myself.”

The lie is still perpetrated today because many people throughout the world do not believe God is a good God and that He not only wants them to experience an abundant life but his Son paid for it to be able to happen.

 

In my book. “Detox:  Spiritual Cleansing for a Fulfilling Life,” one of the chapter titles is: “The biggest lie ever told: “What you do not

know won’t hurt you!”

 

God desires us to know about all the good things He has prepared for us and we get to experience them more fully when we acknowledge who He says we are in Christ!  We are co-laborers together with God!

That is BIG!

 

Without this knowledge, however, we and others will experience life circumstantially rather than purposefully and miss out on the true reason for our being on the earth to bring pleasure to God! …

 

So, what you do not know will definitely hurt you but what you do know and act on will definitely benefit you and others in your sphere of influence.

 

1 John 3:1 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God and that is what we are.”

 

Paul said: “I pray that the communication of your faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon 1:6

 

Quite frequently I say, “Father, I acknowledge every good thing that is in me in Christ Jesus and I believe by faith I will participate in these good things today!”

 

He said, if we want our faith to be effective, it must be communicated…. we must talk about it!  He wants us to talk about what Jesus did for us and learn what he wants to do through us!  The Scripture says that these good things must be acknowledged!  It is interesting too that Paul said we should acknowledge EVERY good thing.  Seems like he wanted all the bases in our lives to be covered!

 

Faith is simply talking and acting like God’s word is true.

 

It is enormously powerful to think about what Mary, the Mother of Jesus said: 

 

“Be it done unto me according to your Word.” Luke 1:38

 

She had to accept and acknowledge the good news the angel brought to her.  She had a choice and so do we!

 

On the other hand, we must keep in mind also that fear is talking and acting like Satan’s word is true!

 

So many people are not knowledgeable of the truth that there is a God who loves them and that they can depend on.

 

Jesus said in Matthew 24:12:

 

“Because of the increase of wickedness and lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold.”

 

Many are filled with fearful and cold hearts right now.

 

The wonderful news is, however, we have the antidote to share with others concerning these happenings.

 

The Bible says in 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear has torment.”

 

Some of the characteristics of fear are torture, distress, harassment, to buffet as waves, vexation, and fretting!

 

In other words, no peace!

 

We could just as easily say:  There is no fear in faith!  Faith that originates from the knowledge of the love of God.

 

The quality of life God intends for us to enjoy is spoiled and robbed by fear because it has torment, lack of peace, confusion, control, etc.

 

God wants fear eradicated from our lives and replaced with faith! 

 

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

 Romans 10:17

 

One key to great faith is when we hear and read the word of God, we take time to internalize His words and make them personal and applicable to our lives and those we pray for.

 

2 Timothy 1:7 says: “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

 

This clearly shows us that fear is not just an emotion or fleeting thought process but is a spirit that brings with it torment!

 

It is important to note what God has given us:

 

The Spirit of Power

The Spirit of Love

The Spirit of a Sound Mind - the Mind of Christ!

 

Final Thought:

 

It is not only special to know that our faith in receiving what God has gifted us with pleases and gratifies Him, but in the following Scripture, it is powerful to note that He, himself, IS WORKING IN US and we know that has to be good!

 

“For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13