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Here Jesus tells the disciples not to be afraid. Those who have come to truly know Christ as Saviour and LORD are eternally secure and have infinite comfort and hope in this fact.
What is fear? I believe fear can be defined as: "anxiety caused by approaching danger". There are many causes of fear and it cannot always be avoided, even in the most pious of Christians. The early Christians and apostles are examples of fear from persecutions:
"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord." - John 20:19,20 kjv.
Paul caused much false fear in Christians who did not think he had become saved, they wrongfully held him and suspicion and would not fellowship with him as they acted in an un-christian manner:
"And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple." - Acts 9:26 kjv.
The one thing that perhaps causes the most fear in people is the fear of death, but again let us look to our LORD Jesus Christ who tells His people: "It is I; be not afraid". Hebrews 2 tells us that Jesus has freed the true believer from the fear of death; a sign of true salvation in the life of an individual is that through Jesus they do not fear death:
"Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. " - Hebrews 2:14-16 nas.
Now Godly fear is a different situation. This is a type of fear that a believer must have. Perhaps one of the most important aspects of Godly fear is hating evil:
"The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures." - Proverbs 8:13-21.
But we must please keep in mind that fear of the LORD is not a burden to children, it is very satisfying:
"In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death." - Proverbs 14:26,27.
Perhaps most importantly concerning the fear of the LORD is the fact that it is sanctifying:
"The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." - Psalm 19:9-14.
There are many reasons to fear God and they cannot be addressed here as time permits, but I believe two of the major ones are God's forgiveness and God's judgements. Psalm 130 deals with God's forgiveness and Revelation 14:7 relate to God's judgements I will close this week with these verses and the exhortation to do good to others, especially other believers and stay close to God's Holy Bible. May Christ be with us all.
"Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. " - Psalm 130.
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." - Revelation 14:6-12.
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