Stop Scaring Me – A Devotion

I John 4:18-19 (NKJV)

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Himbecause He first loved us.

 

Exchanging the details of our weekend, my friend began to vent about a family matter she had encountered. As she compiled the facts to support her position with one final push she added, “And they tried to push religion on my kid!” When I inquired as to what exactly the offensive party was doing, she blurted out, “Well, she made him pray over his food and invited him to church.” I waited for more but there would be none. As a Christian, I wondered how this was so offensive. As a few moments of tense silence passed, my friend clearly upset and I in total perplexity at the harm caused by blessing food and a simple invitation, she would continue. She went on to explain that years before someone had invited her son to church and went on to tell him that his mother was going to hell because of her disbelief and that he clearly needed a Savior. Her fear was in separation from her child and she saw religion as the dividing line between love and hate. Ouch! So much for the “turn or burn” message of the past, clearly it has not made the impact that our ancestors had hoped. Perhaps I should share with my brothers in Christ at the football stadium yelling about the heat of hell that it’s not working and they should clearly try another strategy to share the Love of God and Jesus Christ with a dying world. The scare tactics of the past did not stick and have left a generation looking for real love. The world is a scary place. With staggering divorce rates and relational meltdown between people, it is clear that separation is tearing God’s People (all of them) apart. The message of the Gospel has been streamlined by religion for “perfect people” not bent on love but rather conformity. Yes, I have close friends who do not pray when they eat. They do not read the Word of God and are not convinced that God or Jesus Christ exists. We have conversations and inside jokes. We laugh together and have even cried together. Do I want them to know Jesus Christ? Well, of course, but clearly fear is not working. In fact it is probably why it is so hard to reach people with the Love of God. When did believers decide that the “Roman Road” was enough to save people? It is not. Do not be offended by my words, but look deeper into the Grace and Love of God through Jesus Christ. We are His Hands and Feet. The Word of God says that “perfect love casts out fear.” There is no fear in love. God’s Word without the Love of Jesus Christ condemns us to die as the Law. God’s Law was perfected in the Love of Jesus Christ when He laid down His Life for others as an example to us all of what an effective Gospel Message looks like and feels like. The world fears condemnation and judgment because it is the worldly system known as “you get what you give.” Our love affair with Jesus Christ cannot be based on fear and our message to the world is not about death but life. The reality of hell did not become clear to me until after I was saved. It was unconditional love and acceptance that brought me to Jesus Christ. I wanted His Love. When we stop trying to scare, shame and coerce people to the Cross and simply share the Love of God through Jesus Christ. We will see a revival. People will be saved.

 

I John 4:7-11 (NKJV)

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

 

It is devastating to me that an invitation to church would cause fear in a person. Yet such a response, personifies how the world sees religion today. It has become just one more responsibility or burden with some even viewing it as an attack on their family. In this particular case, my friend probably is in a more loving and committed relationship then many Christians that I know even though she and her partner are not married. Her child rearing skills are excellent as she is a dedicated parent who selflessly gives to her child for his wellbeing who is committed to raising a caring and compassionate adult. She just so happens to be my coworker. She is probably the most hardworking employee in the three departments that I supervise. She is more loving and accepting of others even when she disagrees with their choices or lifestyle because she is a “good” person. I respect her and desperately want her to experience the Love of Jesus Christ. However, growing up in a religious family not focused on relationships, she clearly is apprehensive based on her life experience with the church. If this is the case, people we are doing something very wrong. “Let us love one another.” Love is not reserved for “after” people find God and become part of the Body of Jesus Christ, it is an invitation to a Love Affair that is overpowering and overwhelming by bonding us to our Lord in love not fear. Love does not separate people but brings them together. I love my friend. Though we may have a differing opinion on God at the present time, I will continue to love her. She is a sinner. Big surprise! We have something in common, SO AM I! Just because Jesus Christ was kind and loving enough to spread His Precious Blood all over my sins past, present and future does not make me sinless just forgiven. In that forgiveness, the faults of another should not offend me. The only difference between a nonbeliever and me is that I have accepted the Grace of God. I did absolutely nothing to earn His Amazing Love! Fear did not drive me to the Altar of God, but His Love did! His Love makes me free to love others without having to worry about losing a part of myself because I need nothing from them. I am complete lacking nothing in Jesus Christ. (James 1:4) Whatever I give will be given back to me “pressed down, shaken together and running over” so why not give all my love to others. (Luke 6:38) Read it. This verse is not about money but about love. It is high time we stop using scare tactics to introduce others to the Lord and try sharing His Love not only in words but deeds. If we love like Jesus, people will want to know Him. The world is looking for love in all the wrong places. Sadly most churches are the wrong places for love. Until we love like Jesus Christ, it is probably we shut the doors until we figure this thing out! The Love of God is powerful. It is life. Fear destroys faith and leads to doubt. We must place all our faith in His Amazing Love and then we will be effective in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ without fear. The world is shouting, “Stop scaring me! Start loving me!”

 

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NKJV)

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For youare the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God and they shall be My people.”Therefore

“Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you. I will be a Father to you and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

 

I believe that God does not want us to be unequally yoked with nonbelievers. But I think we have taken this verse out of context as I believe we do so many through a lack of knowledge and understanding of the Word of God which is a comprehensive work not just a series of tips and tricks to make it into Heaven. It all works together to transform hearts and lives. God did not call us to separate ourselves from the world but rather the darkness of this world. People are not darkness. They are not the “problem” it is sin. God has called us to come out of sin and remove the idols from our “temple” to make more room for the Lord and sometimes people must be avoided in our weakness. It is our problem. This is not an exemption from loving other people. This is a personal commission to walk in holiness of which true love is a quality. You cannot love people completely outside of the Love of God but must first find your place there to love others in such a way. You cannot share something you do not have and you cannot tell others of something you do not know! God wants there to be a difference between the way you live and love that identifies us as His People. This in no way, shape or form makes us better than anyone else just saved! No more or less. In fact, the more I know Jesus and His Amazing Love the more convinced I am to tell others of all it has to offer. In such a revelation, there is no conformity necessary. It is a story of transformation. It is a love story which others will want when not defined by fear but grace and mercy. Love does not separate. It binds together. God did not scare the hell out of me and I surely will not scare the hell out of another person. Love brought me to Jesus! I found my way in the Light of His Love. I am the Light of the World because Jesus Christ lives in me. People will find their way to hell all on their own, but if the Light of Love that is within me will just burn a little brighter people will come closer not in fear but love!

 

Romans 8:35-39 (NKJV)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”  Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

The world is a scary place. The Love of God is a refuge and shelter to those who find it. Nothing can separate us from the Love of God. We are more than conquers because of His Great Love which gives us peace to walk without fear through life knowing His Love will surround us and protect us in our journey. If as believers we are persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, not things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth nor any other created thing can ever separate us from the Love of God found in Jesus Christ then why in the world would we attempt to scare the “hell” out of other people. They know brokenness as for many it is the only reality that they know! They are looking for love! Perfect love casts out all fear. If you are not convinced that God’s Love is powerful, then you will never share it that way with other people. Your Gospel of Love is a firsthand account of your love affair with God. If fear defines that relationship with trembling and apprehension, the world will want no part of it. They have plenty of hurt to go around. However, once you experience the True Love of God and see Jesus Face-to-Face as His Love, Mercy and Grace pour over you – you will never be the same. You won’t have to look down at others to feel better. You will love them right where they are and just how they are because nothing can separate you from His Love.

John 15:9-14 (NKJV)

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My Commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”

 

The greatest thing about the Love of God is that it is complete. When I accepted His Love, it fulfilled my life. I am satisfied. I can love others freely because I do not expect anything in return because I am filled with joy and peace that is not manmade. The imperfections of others do not pose a problem because I now have perfect love. I can lay down my life for my friends because it is eternal and can never be exhausted. I am no longer afraid that they will love me back. At the end of the day, no matter how unlovable others have been I can escape to the secret place of His Presence and experience His Amazing Love all over again! See I have nothing to lose and everything to gain in loving my friends. The message of the world to the church is clear, “Stop scaring me – start loving me!” Read the news. These are fearful times. The world as we know it is falling apart at the seams! The Love of God will bind us together until He comes, if we choose to love freely! Perfect love casts out all fear. Do not be afraid to love others. Lay down your life for your friends today even if pride becomes the number one victim. Let the Truth of God be found in the Love of God!