A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"No Fear!"

I was driving down the road the other day and saw a bumper sicker on the window of a beat-up pick-up truck that read, "FEAR THIS." I was not sure exactly what I was suppose to fear, but the bumper sticker does represent a predominate attitude of our day. People are obsessed with power. Today's heros are people who are perceived as powerful people. In a recent survey by the Daily Entertainment Network, the number one hero among people ages 15 to 24 was Luke Skywalker, the young farm-boy-turned-Jedi-Knight who virtually singlehandedly defeated the evil Empire in the movie trilogy, "Star Wars." Bookstore shelves are filled with self-help books on how to be powerful. They may or may not include the word power in their title, but the all have to do with taking control, being in control, and having control. Strong, powerful, "I'm in complete control, don't mess with me" are want people want to be.

In such an atmosphere Christians are perceived as weak, need-a-crutch, mild, timid people. This is far from true. Scripture reveals that "God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7) The fact is, the most powerful people in the world are Christians. No, we don't wear "fear this" stickers, for the power we possess is not threatening or intimidating. We need not fear the world or its onslaughts because "the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world!" We are not ones who cower in fear and cowardice. Our meekness should not be understood as weakness. The indwelling Spirit empowers us - gives us a spirit of power; power to accomplish beyond what we can ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)

Directionless power is dangerous. It inflicts pain, becomes self-centered, and brings destruction. That is why we are not give only power. We are also given love - divine love. Love gives our power direction and that direction is outward toward others in love. Our power has divine, eternal purpose and direction. Jesus Himself gave us the example in this. He, the most powerful human who every has or will ever walk the earth, never once used His power for Himself. Whenever He exercised His power it was always for others. Even in the face of death He drew upon His power to lay His life down for others rather than to save His own.

Unrestrained power and love is dangerous as well. Power and love need wisdom and restraint in order to be exercised for holy and healthy purposes. Self-discipline comes from a sound mind (the word for self-discipline in the Greek can also be translated "sound-mind). Self-discipline requires a mind that is careful to consider all factors before taking action. A mind that is trained by the Word of God and submitted to the way of holiness. Such a mind gives thoughtful prayerful restraint to power and love. There have been many things done in the name of love that have been harmful, because self-discipline was not exercised. On the other hand many lives have been renewed, helped, healed and more due to self-disciplined power and love have been extended to them.

Beloved, let us stand straight and tall in our Lord! Let us be bold for Christ in Christ! There is no place for fear for God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but He has given us a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline!

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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