In my previous post, I commented on internal fears that can influence how we approach life. I am becoming increasingly aware of the influence of fear in my own life. As I contemplated this issue, I was reminded of these verses:

“There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. We love because he first loved us.”

1 John 4:18–19, CSB

John is offering this as a binary choice; it is either love or fear, it cannot be both. When I allow fear to operate in my life, it is because I am not allowing God’s love for me to displace my fear.

I suppose that there will be additional observations forthcoming in future posts, but for now, I’m reflecting on these verses from 1 John and asking God to displace my fear with his love.

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There are many things to fear in a fallen, broken, and messed-up world. Nearly all of them are things that are beyond our control. These external forces can make us uncomfortable; if we are not careful, they can consume our emotional resources and leave us drained.

We also have internal fears that can drain us. “Did I say the wrong thing?” “Will I be able to measure up?” “Why do I succumb to the same trap that I’ve fallen into so many times?” Our internal dialog reveals that fear plays a large role in how we respond to the world around us.

So what is the antidote? Is it possible to live without fear?

This morning in my Bible reading, I read this:

“Teach me your way, Lord, and I will live by your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear your name.”

Psalm 86:11, CSB

I find this to be a beautiful prayer and a way of dealing with fear.

As we read Scripture and encounter what God reveals to us about himself and about how we should live, we can then have increasing confidence that we are responding to both God and our world correctly. Or, at least, we can see ourselves making progress toward responding correctly as we yield ourselves to God.

The psalmist shows us that when we are taught by God through Scripture, then we will know how to walk in God’s truth. As Christians, we also understand that we have the Holy Spirit who enables us to put into practice what we learn.

This morning I am encouraged by the last part of this prayer. I am encouraged to ask for an undivided mind so that I can fear God’s name. It seems to me that to live entirely without fear is not possible, and perhaps not even wise. The quest should not be to live without fear, but to fear the correct things and respond correctly to my situation.

As Christians, we know that we do not need to live in fear of God as if he is a cranky, vengeful deity just waiting for an excuse to blast us. That is not what it means to fear God’s name.

Reflecting on what it means to fear God’s name, I’ve concluded that I should want to be entirely focused on living my life in a way that will not profane God’s name. What I say and do should be influenced by what God reveals as the correct way to live.

Another verse I read this morning gives me a clue as to how to go about living this way:

“Indeed, this is our boast: The testimony of our conscience is that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with godly sincerity and purity, not by human wisdom but by God’s grace.”

2 Corinthians 1:12, CSB

The word “sincerity” in this verse carries the idea of simplicity, purity, and uprightness. The idea is that there is no ulterior motive. The word translated as “purity” literally means tested by sunlight and carries the idea of being unmixed and pure.

So we are to be upright, pure, and without any mixed motives.

To live that way is a worthy goal.

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Here is a proverb that should greatly influence our speech and social interaction.

“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.”

Proverbs 11:12 (ESV)

By way of application, can we all commit to taking a deep breath while offering a prayer for wisdom before we share a tidbit about someone (gossip) or offer that bit of unsolicited advice (criticism).

If we are honest, we would have to admit that too often our sharing or advice is more motivated by pride than love.

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Commentators are nearly unanimously agree that Chapter 12 is a turning point in the Letter to the Romans by the Apostle Paul.

In the first 11 chapters, Paul lays down foundational teaching regarding the nature of what it means to believe and trust in Jesus Christ for one’s salvation. There is so much there that one could spend a lifetime studying the book and never get to the place where there is nothing more to be gained by studying it.

The point of this post is to look at how Paul begins turning the discussion toward application of the first 11 chapters of the letter.

He begins, “Therefore . . . I urge you” (CSB, NASB, NIV). The NASB uses the same translation but the ESV and RSV use the phrase, “I appeal to you.” The King James has a similar but older word, and translates it “I beseech you.” But the meaning is similar in all translations. It is a request that Paul’s readers act upon what he has written.

The point I want to draw out in this is that he does not command them. He does not stand on his authority and bash them with what they need to do. Instead, he lovingly comes alongside his readers to encourage them to right behavior.

The word translated urge/exhort/beseech is from the same root as one of the names of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. It carries the idea of coming beside, and in a different context, it means to encourage or build up.

Many who have been around churches for a long time have run into leaders who attempt to pressure their members into certain behaviors by calling people out from the pulpit and using other tactics that are heavy-handed and short-sighted.

While Paul was not afraid to confront sin and rebellion in the congregation, he was careful only to do so when there was a clear and public violation of the commands of Scripture. For example, in I Corinthians 5:1-2, Paul felt the need to address that church’s willingness to allow open sin in their congregation. He could be tough when it was needed.

Perhaps we can be encouraged by Paul’s example in Romans 12. I can think of two reasons to be encouraged:

1. Paul understands that the application of these principles to our lives is difficult and requires wisdom and that wisdom is often gained through failure. He is encouraging us while knowing that we won’t always get it right.
2. We don’t have to tolerate Pastors or other church leaders who overstep their authority and seek to make us conform to some arbitrary standard that they have set up. Paul didn’t use his authority that way. If an Apostle, directly commissioned by Jesus did not use his authority that way, certainly any church leader today should not.

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