What are you scared of?
Fear of Man
If you do not fear God, you will spend your life afraid of people.
In the fear of God, you need not fear people.
Proverbs 28:1 is a fascinating piece of wisdom.
The wicked flee though no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Who you are morally impacts where you go directionally. The inner state of a person is directly connected to his course through life.
A biblical perspective of wisdom won’t let us mutate this verse into a call for inner peace in ourselves.
There is no one righteous on their own, but we can freely receive righteousness from Christ by trusting Him. When we trust Him to atone for our sin and to clothe us with his righteousness, we can walk with the boldness of the righteous.
Why are so many Christians paralyzed by what other people think of them? If we claim to be righteous in Christ, why are so many of us scurrying around insecurely?
Two profound reasons stick out to me: the inner turmoil of hidden sin and enslavement to public opinion.
So many who claim Christ’s righteousness still operate as if their final judgement will be determined by popular vote.
Others who claim Christ’s righteousness treasure sin’s wickedness behind closed doors.
Friend, can I invite you into the joy and freedom of living in Christ’s righteousness?
Clothe yourself in Christ. He atones for all sin and gives all righteousness. You can take up a life with freedom and boldness when you leave behind the fickle court of public opinion and put to death known sin.
Live in the world as God knows it to be.
Will you pray for God’s help to live in Christ’s world as He knows it to be?
There is no fear of being exposed or caught in Christ. He knows your sins and needs fully. There is real danger is pretending to be something different than Christ knows you to be with others.
Acting as if you do not need Christ only encourages the deadly pull of remaining sin. Needing Christ less is a vice not a virtue.
Calvin said, “For to the extent that a man rests satisfied with himself, he impedes the beneficence of God.”
Embrace the boldness and joy that comes on the other side of embracing your TOTAL need for Christ!
Christ knows your sin and your weakness, and He loves you. As you agree with Him about your sin (confess) and weakness, there is power and freedom.
Christ knows your standing and gives His Spirit. As you face the misunderstandings, fears, and challenges of this life–you can rest in His work and rely on His Strength.