The Power Of Fear
Turning My Past Into Purpose
"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)
The definition of fear is: An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
It is ironic that so many are literally paralyzed by fear! The scripture states that "... fear has torment". It seems this type of torment is not just localized to the Body of Christ but is a worldwide dilemma, affecting both young and old. It seems no one is exempt from it's grip. The torment that fear exerts on individuals, family, businesses, organizations, etc. is literally overwhelming to the lives and vocations of so many.
But what are we to do, as members of the Body of Christ about fear? The answer is simple: love. This covers and eradicates fear. Love casts out fear. The perfection that is attained by love does not speak to moral perfection. You may still come short in areas. Sin (an archery term which means to miss the mark; aiming at the bulls eye but missing) is inherent in everyone's life. But what the scripture tries to get the believer to realize is that love enables the individual to mature to the point where what caused the fear in the first place won't hinder in the future. The scripture states that "... of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." (2 Peter 2:19) The key, then, is to OVERCOME the thing(s) that cause the fear, and in so doing you will mature to the point where it loses it's effect on you. Will the situation present itself again in the future in order to return you to a state of fearing it? Yes! But when a level of maturity is reached, you can look back at the devil and say, "I know it's you, and I'm not going there again with you!"
How is this accomplished? By love. Love defined is an intense feeling of deep affection. And with that affection comes a sense of loyalty. THIS is what is lacking. Loyalty to the One Who has called you to be what He desires you be! Jesus has stated that if one loves Him he will keep His commandments. (John 14:15). Loyalty, as Jesus states, to the things that I have told you. In fact, the primary commission found in Matthew 28: 19-20 states, "Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” Therefore, the prominent thing addressed here is not the wishy-washy feelings that accompany love, but the very act of loving itself!
DO love, not just rely on FEELING love! KEEP His word, and in so doing it will cause to surface an element of confidence in the One loved. So much so that it will cause a maturity to develop in the life of the believer. This maturity will result in the casting out of fear, for there is a reliance on all that Jesus said and did. And if He did it then, He'll do it again! He is not a man that He should lie nor the son of man that He should repent! If He spoke it, He'll make it so, for He has exalted His word above EVERYTHING!
Yes, your past mistakes can be used by God as the catapult to launch you in to your purpose!
DO love, not just rely on FEELING love! KEEP His word, and in so doing it will cause to surface an element of confidence in the One loved. So much so that it will cause a maturity to develop in the life of the believer. This maturity will result in the casting out of fear, for there is a reliance on all that Jesus said and did. And if He did it then, He'll do it again! He is not a man that He should lie nor the son of man that He should repent! If He spoke it, He'll make it so, for He has exalted His word above EVERYTHING!
Yes, your past mistakes can be used by God as the catapult to launch you in to your purpose!
