Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Sabbath, December 27, 2014
Based Upon Luke 12
For those who trust in God, there is absolutely no need to fear. There is no need to fear harm by people who can destroy our bodies. There is no need to fear that God will neglect to provide our daily needs. There is no need to fear that Jesus will mysteriously develop divine amnesia and forget to return to earth at the appointed time to take His people to that heavenly bliss that He has been preparing for them. For those who trust in God, there is absolutely no need to fear. We need simply to place our entire trust in Him and help others to do the same. Yes, there are responsibilities that come with this sort of trust, but with complete trust also comes the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill our responsibilities.
One fear that insidiously cripples the minds of people more than economic collapse, war, and natural disasters is the fear of rejection. This is part of the reason many inner-city youth resort to violence against innocent people to earn their positions among gang members when their families are splintered. This is why some of our children are staging online suicides when they have had their fill of bullying. This is why many of our women sell sexuality through film, exotic dancing, and prostitution. Much of the fears stems from unresolved guilt feelings for wrongs people have committed or perceived wrongs. They lack a sense of real connection with God and thus some go to the extreme of looking for acceptance in all the wrong places.
Jesus made it very clear that, while it is not advisable or a display of respect, those who speak against Jesus can be forgiven for their sins. However, those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, they will never be forgiven. A misunderstanding of this has caused much fear of being rejected by God. People wonder whether they have finally committed the “unpardonable sin.” They fear the ultimate rejection—the rejection by God. Let me just pause right here to be very clear: There is no such thing as any certain individual sin event that is unpardonable. While sin is never to be trifled with, Jesus gave His life to save sinners. The only sin that is unpardonable, whether it is lying, pride, immorality, stealing, selfishness, etc., is that for which we do not sincerely seek forgiveness. You see, the office of the Holy Spirit is to bring the awareness of our sin to us with the power to confess and forsake it (no matter what sin it is). He brings godly sorrow for sin and the ability to turn our backs on it, to walk in the ways of righteousness. Therefore, as long as we continue to hear the calls of the Spirit to repent, we have not grieved Him away (blasphemed against Him). This is reason to rejoice! We have no need to fear rejection by God! This is also reason to be diligent seekers of our God and not place ourselves in position to cease hearing the Spirit’s voice, thus becoming callously unable to repent.
Unholy fear is for those who are perishing spiritually. There is no fear in love relationship with God. Love that completes us banishes unwarranted fear. Faith in God is the conduit through which all of His power moves into our lives. Have faith in God, resist feelings of unwarranted fear, and experience the fullness of joy in the Holy Spirit. Amen
