A lockdown and a pandemic tried to paralyze the church. Was it intentional or was it just some weird side effect brought about by some disease? I really don’t have an answer for that. Spiritually or physically though it has caused us (many) to fear. Fear the disease, fear the repercussions of how we regard the disease. I’m reminded of a verse in Matthew 24:12 (Weymouth New Testament) and because of the prevalent disregard of God’s law the love of the great majority will grow cold;
In more contemporary terms it says, “Evil will spread and cause many people to stop loving others.” I say tried but the attempt itself is failing as Christians are waking up and responding to God’s call. But what I want to talk about is fear. Fear and evil spreading…
Whether it’s fear of some disease or fear of some hidden agenda, we are being systematically programmed to fear. It’s under the guise of being self aware. And spread as information to “instill calmness and make the public aware (of the danger)”, 1st John 4:18 says “Love has in it no element of fear; but perfect love drives away fear,” (Weymouth New Testament). It’s human to have reservations – trepidations; but knowledge overcomes that and until knowledge – LOVE. Fear is a disease that we are not to wholesalely give into but many do because the second part of the verse (1st John 4:18) fear involves torment.
The Risks Assessment
The torment, is often best expressed in questions. What happens if I over extend myself or give too much or trust too much? These are valid questions with no simple answer (in this forum). Just let me say, knowledge (wisdom)and love… In all thy getting get understanding – Proverbs 4:7 (The Living Bible) fully reads, “Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And with your wisdom, develop common sense and good judgment.”
Love doesn’t replace common sense or judgement or knowledge. Love works hand in step with them. Love enables and enhances your ability to reach people that (though they may not know yet) want to be reached. More importantly God wants to reach them.
The God / Faith Agenda
The fear being spread… Fear of evil, or better said, fearfulness and evil is so prominently being shared because people are afraid to rely on the security of faith. They trust God but don’t trust God to move fast enough to help in every situation. They “trust God” but don’t trust the process of God… Faith fits into a nice box that reads break only in the most extreme dire emergency. Trust like love comes more with knowledge. Or better said, trust like love is built with and upon knowledge. Knowledge of God. Knowledge of what he says about a given situation. Knowledge (understanding) of his view of people.
Surmise it to say, love – security, to stop the paralysis of fear. We have to find the surety of faith.
The guarantee or guarantor. What or with whom do you put your trust?
