One of the key things that became a regular prayer request for me, upon becoming the Senior Pastor of my Church, was a theme for the Church for the year 2020. This theme would be the guiding principle of everything we do; ministry-wise, administratively-wise, and the like. Then, one early morning, the LORD spoke to me and laid upon my heart the theme “Fearlessly Going Forward” according to Deuteronomy 31:6. At the time of receiving it it seemed like just another good theme. I thought to myself that it is a good reassurance for us in God supplying every need for 2020, which is still the case. However, as time progressed, my wife and I, as well as our entire congregation, realised (and are still realising) how timely of a theme it really is. The world is now in chaos, creeping deeper and deeper into an ever growing and evolving chaotic state, with no intention of getting back to normalcy. Such a fact can, of course, breathe fear.
The Year 2000 and 2020
In the year 2000 there were a lot of concerns. It was almost, for some reason, a universally accepted fact that Jesus Christ was going to return in that year. Movies such as “the Omega Code” (a Trinity Broadcasting Network film) and “End of Days” (starring Arnold Schwarzenegger) highlighted the year 2000 as an important year in an apocalyptic light. There was even the issue of the Y2K bug which was supposed to cause a global shutdown of all computer-based systems in that year. It would have been easy to come to the conclusion that this was the end. The year 2000 marked the beginning of a new year, a new century, and a new millennium. It was the ultimate numerical value of a year, so something majorly prophetic had to be associated with it. Naturally, people became fearful at this time.
Today, we are in the year 2020, exactly 20 years after the year 2000. In the last 20 years the world became changed and transformed in such a way to make it evident, day-by-day and step-by-step, that the end of days were indeed upon us. The year 2020, in fact, has already slung after us a barrage of events, most notoriously the virus of pandemic status, Coronavirus, code-named “COVID-19”. The spread of this disease has practically caused life as we know it to cease. Health care systems, schools, airports, seaports, groceries, businesses, and even Churches and other religious groups and institutions have been affected, even halted. Even the Olympic Games have been cancelled for this year and postponed to next year. Before this the games were only cancelled, ever, because of World War I (1916) and World War II (1940 and 1944).
The most frightening thing, however, is the spirit of fear that is creeping through our society and nations, even in the Church. Believers have even confessed their struggle with fear at such a time. They are told to be fearless and go forward bravely in Christ, but as the infection cases and death tolls rise, concern would naturally kick in. Now don’t get me wrong, I will never say that it is acceptable to live a life gripped by fear. However, it is human to be concerned and to feel the tendency to carry oneself in a fearful manner. Nevertheless, more than ever before, in such chaotic times, this is the time when we as a Church need to adopt this guiding principle in our lives; God desires that we are a people who are “Fearlessly Going Forward“.
Let’s look at four points that we must consider if we desire to truly go forward in life fearlessly, no longer being gripped by fear.
#1 We must be made Perfect in Love
“(16) And we have known and believed the love that God hath shown to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (17) Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement: because as He is, so are we in this world.”
1 John 4:16-17 (KJV)
1 John 4:16-17 shows us the importance of loving God and showing our love for God by loving others. Verse 16, in particular, brings to light the fact that God’s very nature is love, hence Him actually being love, and this being a reason for us to show love to others. We cannot hate people and expect to live in a place of love. When we love and, as verse 17 then says, are made perfect in love, we are in a position where:
- We dwell (live) in God’s love
- God dwells (lives) in us and is with us
- We become like God Himself
- We can have boldness on the day of Judgement
What does “being made perfect in love” mean, you may ask? Upon looking at this passage of scripture we can identify three key points that show us what it means to be made perfect in love:
- We must Know God. 1 John 4:16 starts off by saying “And we have known..“. There must be knowledge of God, His nature, His character and His ways. Knowing Him more and more would build your relationship with Him which, inevitably, will build your love for Him.
- We must Believe God. 1 John 4:16 continues in its opening statement, saying “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us“. Knowing God is only the start. We must now start believing Him, which allows us to accept Him fully for who He is (see Hebrews 11:6-7).
- We must Obey God. 1 John 4:16 goes on to say that “he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God“. To “dwell” or to “live” in God is not just about security; it is about obedience. If we are dwelling in Him then we are signifying that He is the master of the dwelling place. Therefore we must abide to His rules, guidance and calling (see John 14:15 and John 15:14).
Currently, we are encouraged to adopt a lifestyle of “social distancing” or “physical distancing”. This is to slow, and bring to a halt, the spread of the virus. However, it can have (and probably is already having) an effect where people use it as an excuse to shun others altogether or treat others badly. As a Church we must be respectful of the advice of authorities. However, at the same time, we must not cease loving others. Love is needed for such a time as this, especially from a group of people who are actually made perfect in the love of God. The world needs people who know God, believe God and obey God. Such individuals are constant purveyors of God’s love and they are the ones who will be most effective in making a Christ-like impact.
We must also always remember this:
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:18 (KJV)
#2 We must place our hope in Jesus Christ only
The Gospel of John 11:20-27 gives an interesting account of Jesus and Martha. Lazarus, Martha’s brother, had recently died. Jesus came to visit them, but He came four days after Lazarus was placed in the tomb. Verse 20 to 22 says:
“(20) Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. (21) Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. (22) But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.”
St. John 11:20-22 (KJV)
In verse 23 Jesus gives her the assurance that her brother will live again. Martha responds, in verse 24, by saying that she knows that her brother “..will rise again in the resurrection at the last day“. Jesus then responds to her with one of the most important statements ever mentioned in scripture and ever mentioned in human history:
(25) Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (26) And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
St. John 11:25-26 (KJV)
Martha expected hope to come in a particular day, the day of Resurrection; the last day. However Jesus showed her the greatest truth of all; He is “the resurrection and the life”. He is the source of life. Therefore, it doesn’t matter what day it is. He is the one who defines a day, season or time as a time of resurrection. He defines the day, the day does not define Him. Many of us may hope for a glorious day when all these cares and troubles will be gone. Our hope, instead, needs to be on Jesus, who is the source of all life, hope, and goodness.
Upon hearing what the LORD said, and realising its meaning, Martha’s focus shifted, resulting in verse 27 saying:
“She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”
St. John 11:27 (KJV)
#3 We must know that the Holy Spirit will help us
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
Fear creates within you a sense of weakness, inferiority, isolation, helplessness, and powerlessness. Fear inhibits space where love should be dwelling in you. Fear, as it occupies space, can then harbour struggles with hatred, resentment, addictions and selfishness within us. When we accepted Christ as LORD and Saviour we received the Holy Spirit, also known as God the Holy Spirit (third person of the Holy Trinity). He is the Spirit of Power, Love, and Soundness of mind.
We, as the Church, cannot function without depending on the Holy Spirit. He is the actual seal on our lives which signifies that we are children of God and redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 1:13). We depend on Him to signify our redemption, as well as to teach us (John 14:26), comfort us (Acts 9:31), help us (John 16:7), sanctify us (1 Corinthians 6:11), give us gifts for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:4-11), and even to impart love to us (Romans 5:3-5). If we are to truly be the fearless Church that God wants us to always be, we must depend on the Holy Spirit.
#4 We must understand that God commands us to be fearless
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.”
Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
Living a life of fearlessness is not just an encouragement from God, it is actually a command! As a matter of fact, God gives the command to “fear not” 365 times in the Bible! This shows that living a life of fear is actually a direct act of disobedience to God. Why is this so? Why would God take being afraid so seriously?
It all has to do with His nature and the first point that we mentioned; Love. Fear creates a breeding ground for all vile things. When Love enters, however, fear has to evacuate the premises. To be fearless in Christ is to be made perfect in Love, thereby being in God and loving God. If we cannot love, we cannot truly know God, as His love is not in us. Additionally, He is love, so to embrace fear is to reject perfect love, thereby rejecting God Himself!
Fearlessly Going Forward
As is mentioned in Romans 8:38-39, nothing can separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus. God desires that we, as a Church in the midst of chaos, be made perfect in Love, set our hopes on Christ Jesus, depend on the Holy Spirit, and obey His commands of not being fearful. In such a time as this let us not panic as people who have no hope. We have a blessed hope in Jesus Christ. If we live, we get to declare the Gospel and live for Jesus on Earth even more. If we die, we get to be with Jesus Christ forever. No matter how things go, once our hope is in Jesus, everything will be alright. As Deuteronomy 31:6 rightfully says:
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)
Sources of Assistance
Beacon Of Flavor 