TEXT: LUKE 1:74; 1 JOHN 4:18; 4:7-8; JOHN 8:31-32; JOHN 14:6

To grant us that we being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear. (Luke 1:74)

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out all fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.(1 John 4:18)

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and is of God. 8He who does not love does not know God, FOR GOD IS LOVE.

John 8:31-32- Then Jesus said to those who believed Him, “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. 32And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 14:6- Jesus said to Him, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (1 John 4:7-8)

Our relationship and service to God should not be born out of fear. Any gospel that makes you serve God in fear or by force is WRONG! The latter part of Luke 1:74 says, ‘…to grant us that we being delivered from the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear.’ The devil is our number one enemy and he keeps us bound through sin (rather he kept us bound in sin before we met Christ).

When Christ came He set us free from every weight and chain of sin. For we know that with sin comes judgment/condemnation and this brings fear. Now if we have been delivered from the power of sin and death by the son of God who loved us (and still loves us) and who gave Himself for us, why then should we be afraid to serve Him? Instead of being fearful in drawing near to this Christ, I think we should be excited with so much love in our hearts as we move close to Him. 1 John has said that God is LOVE. If He is love and lives in me, my life should be an expression of that Love not fear. Fear is an expression of sin and condemnation. But love is an expression of Justification and redemption. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, ‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.’

Even though hell is very real, its reality should not allow our relationship with God be driven by a fear of hell. Rather, our relationship should be driven by the Love that Christ showed us on the cross. The cross should be the symbol or mark that pulls our hearts towards Christ daily. For a disciple of Christ, the cross is more than a crucifix but it is an expression of the love of the savior who gave His life. And that cross stirs a response which is love in the life of the believer. That love is not the one that believes that freedom is a license to be untamed or immoral, but the one that believes that freedom is equal to being yoked with Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

2 Corinthians 5:14- for the love of Christ compels (constrains) us. 

It is the love of Christ that limits all our excesses. Now, having known this truth (about Christ who is the Truth) you should enjoy your freedom in Christ to love Him more (everyday as you walk in Him trusting Him to make your paths straight) and to serve Him without fear. If our relationship with God is driven by fear, then we will miss all the goodness of God that He wants to make abound to us through His love because we do not have eyes to see the love that He brings neither do we have the heart to receive His love. A heart that is driven by fear cannot experience true love in its totality except it forsakes its fear and holds on to LOVE.

Let me close this write up with this story. A certain man owed the king of his village a large sum of money. This man in question had no means of repaying his debt. One day, the king called a party and requested that everyone in the village must be present- male and female, young and old- so there was no hiding place for anyone. The king’s debtor was sad to receive this news so he concluded in his mind that he would attend the party but prepare for the worst that could possibly happen to him. On the day of the party, the king requested that everyone should pass before him; so when it was the turn of the king’s debtor, the king paused the celebration to announce that his debt was cancelled.

The man was shocked and happy simultaneously, so he bowed before the king to show his appreciation. While he was doing that, the king went further to say that he was free to come into the palace at anytime to eat, drink and request whatever he wanted at no cost. At this time, the man could not express himself again but could only do so through tears. All the burden of debt which he carried for many years was taken away just like that. From that day on, the man related freely with the king and the fear of the king was lifted from him.

TO GRANT US THAT WE BEING DELIVERED FROM THE HAND OF OUR ENEMIES, MIGHT SERVE HIM WITHOUT FEAR

Prayer point

  • Lord, please deliver me from all fears of the enemies that surround me in Jesus name.

Author: Ifeoluwa Oloruntoba

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