Freedom from Fear
By Greg Johnson
March 28, 2007
http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org/greg_johnson_blog
Many in our day live in total control of their life, but when something is shaken, their confidence quickly turns to fear. Jesus described our day when He said (Luke 21:25-26 NIV) “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. {26} Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken."
Hearts are failing in our day due to fear, but you can live in freedom from fear. God desires that you live in freedom from fear. To reach your full potential in the Kingdom of God, you must live in freedom from fear.
JESUS HAS LED THE WAY.
The night before Christ died on the cross for our sins, He showed us by example how to live free from fear. He was facing death by crucifixion. The next day He would be tortured to death. He goes to a garden to pray. He prayed (Luke 22:42 NIV) "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
In the last hours prior to the cross, we see Jesus releasing His control over to the Father. He is submitting His will to God’s will. He is not looking forward to the suffering of the cross and He is not looking forward to being separated from God’s presence when He takes upon Himself the sins of the world, but nevertheless He submits His life to God in total trust. This is why Christ was able to face the cross without fear. He placed His life in God’s care and trusted Him for resurrection life to come.
FREEDOM FROM FEAR COMES AT THE CROSS.
Hanging nailed to the cross, Jesus had been beaten beyond recognition. (Luke 23:46 NIV) "Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last."
Freedom from fear comes at the cross as we die to self and trust God for resurrection life. It’s when we humble ourselves and fall at the foot of the cross that we commit our life to Jesus and give Him Lordship of our life. That’s when Jesus set’s us free from the sin of self control. He set’s us free from fear as we place our life in His hands under His control. And whom Jesus sets free is free indeed!
We are not only set free at the cross, but we are given a new spirit. It’s not a spirit of fear or timidity. It’s a spirit of power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).
OUR WORLD WILL BE SHAKEN.
Living at the foot of the cross in total submission to the Lordship of Christ does not mean that our world will not be shaken. The Apostle Paul’s life is an example. Everything was going pretty good in his life until he submitted to the Lordship of Christ in Acts chapter nine. From that moment on, everything in his world was shaken, but he did not faint. His heart did not fail in the face of fear. No, he walked in total victory as he followed Jesus from earth to glory. He reached his full potential in the Kingdom of God and lived with a freedom from fear.
Our world will be shaken as Jesus has said that it would. The hearts of many will fail because of fear, but not the beloved. Beloved, you will be a walking testimony of the power of God in the midst of the shaking. As you submit your will to God’s will and live at the foot of the cross, you will live in freedom of fear. All hell on earth will come, but you will not lose heart for you are following Jesus. Your eyes are fixed on Jesus. Jesus is your strength. Jesus is your courage. Jesus is your faith. Jesus is your sword and Jesus is your shield. Jesus will never leave you and He will never forsake you. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and as His sheep, you follow Him through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil for He is with you! Hallelujah!
