This episode is not about whether one is saved or not...all who have faith in Christ will indeed be saved. No, this is about the quality of that salvation, whether for glory and honour or else, for shame and dishonour. Do we even care about the outcome of our own spiritual race? What's it going to take to wake up from the deep sleep that has befallen the modern Church?
Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures)
Isaiah 41:10
אַל־תִּירָא כִּי־עִמְּךָ־אָנִי אַל־תִּשְׁתָּע כִּי־אֲנִי אֱלֹהֶיךָ אִמַּצְתִּיךָ אַף־עֲזַרְתִּיךָ אַף־תְּמַכְתִּיךָ בִּימִין צִדְקִי
"Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Context: God reassures Israel of His presence and protection amidst challenges, emphasizing His sustaining power.
Psalm 23:4
גַּם כִּי־אֵלֵךְ בְּגֵיא צַלְמָוֶת לֹא־אִירָא רָע כִּי־אַתָּה עִמָּדִי שִׁבְטְךָ וּמִשְׁעַנְתֶּךָ הֵמָּה יְנַחֲמֻנִי
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
Context: The psalmist expresses trust in God’s guidance and comfort, even in the darkest moments of life.
Deuteronomy 31:6
חִזְקוּ וְאִמְצוּ אַל־תִּירְאוּ וְאַל־תַּעַרְצוּ מִפְּנֵיהֶם כִּי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ הוּא הַהֹלֵךְ עִמָּךְ לֹא יַרְפְּךָ וְלֹא יַעַזְבֶךָ
"Be strong and courageous
. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you."
Context: Moses encourages Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, assuring them of God’s unwavering presence.
New Testament (Greek Scriptures)
Matthew 10:28
καὶ μὴ φοβεῖσθε ἀπὸ τῶν ἀποκτεννόντων τὸ σῶμα, τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν μὴ δυναμένων ἀποκτεῖναι· φοβεῖσθε δὲ μᾶλλον τὸν δυνάμενον καὶ ψυχὴν καὶ σῶμα ἀπολέσαι ἐν γεέννῃ.
Translation:
"Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna."
Context: Jesus teaches His disciples to fear God above man, reinforcing the eternal security of their souls in Him.
John 14:27
Εἰρήνην ἀφίημι ὑμῖν, εἰρήνην τὴν ἐμὴν δίδωμι ὑμῖν· οὐ καθὼς ὁ κόσμος δίδωσιν ἐγὼ δίδωμι ὑμῖν. Μὴ ταρασσέσθω ὑμῶν ἡ καρδία μηδὲ δειλιάτω.
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you
. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Context: Jesus comforts His disciples before His crucifixion, promising His peace and presence through the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:15
οὐ γὰρ ἐλάβετε πνεῦμα δουλείας πάλιν εἰς φόβον, ἀλλ’ ἐλάβετε πνεῦμα υἱοθεσίας, ἐν ᾧ κράζομεν· Ἀββᾶ ὁ πατήρ.
Translation: "
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you
have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'"
Context: Paul highlights the transformative relationship believers have with God, replacing fear with intimacy and trust.
2 Timothy 1:7
οὐ γὰρ ἔδωκεν ἡμῖν ὁ Θεὸς πνεῦμα δειλίας ἀλλὰ δυνάμεως καὶ ἀγάπης καὶ σωφρονισμοῦ.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline."
Context: Paul encourages Timothy to embrace boldness in his ministry, grounded in the Spirit’s empowering work.
1 John 4:18
φοβος οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ, ἀλλ’ ἡ τελεία ἀγάπη ἔξω βάλλει τὸν φόβον, ὅτι ὁ φόβος κόλασιν ἔχει· ὁ δὲ φοβούμενος οὐ τετελείωται ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ.
"
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."
Context: John emphasizes the transformative power of God’s love,
which eliminates fear and assures believers of their secure standing.
Conclusion
These verses collectively affirm that believers do not need to live in fear, as God’s presence, love, and promises provide comfort, strength, and assurance. Through faith in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, fear is replaced with peace, boldness, and confidence in God’s eternal care.
J.