Fear 5

Today I'm reading Romans 8:14-16, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children."

I think I've watched maybe 5 minutes of the TV show "Fear Factor" but I've seen enough of the promos to know I don't need to spend one more second of my life watching it again. The premise is to put people into situations that will force them to confront their fears, or more likely, to have to do some kind of disgusting, revolting thing that would normally turn your stomach. Eating worms, for example. There's enough real fear in the world I don't need to see it manufactured in a 'reality' show.

Many people live in fear when they think of God. Even if they won't admit it or articulate it they fear his judgment or displeasure over their lives, their behavior. So, they deny his existence, they water down his commands, they ignore his call, they block it out of their minds any way they can. And then at the other extreme there are those who use fear in their religion to keep people in line, to make people adhere to the dogmas of the faith (whether Christian, Muslim, Mormon, Scientology or whatever). Every religion can be turned into a manipulative thing through the use of fear.

In Scripture the 'fear of God' means approaching God with awesome reverence. It means understanding that God is far more than my spiritual buddy, the BIG GUY upstairs, etc. Treating God flippantly is the opposite of the true reverence we are to have for our Creator. Of course we are his children. He has compassion on us. Jesus calls us his friends. We call God our 'Abba' - the Aramaic word for "Daddy." But none of that erases the sense of awe we should have when we think about the greatness of God.

Paul reminds us that we are not called to live in that negative 'fear' of God. Our forgiveness in complete in Christ. And it is his love that compels obedience, not the threat of judgment. That's what it means to live in grace and to truly embrace being a son or daughter of God. There's freedom in that relationship, and security. Our spirit connects with his Spirit, and that's the beauty of living a Christ-centered life.

Jeff

Today's prayer: (Psalm 121) 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life; 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.