SURVIVING AS A CHRISTIAN

HAVE FAITH IN GOD

FAITH vs FEAR

FAITH is needed to survive as a Christian.  FEAR is the enemy of FAITH.

 

There are two things about fear, actually three to be concerned with.

 

The first thing to fear is FEAR ITSELF.  Fear is the opposite of our faith in God!  Fear defeats any faith we may have.  It is the enemy to ‘our hope and encouragement and success’, even our survival itself as a Christian believer.

 

God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.’  (2Ti1:7)

Fear comes from Satan, the father of lies who seeks to put us down with anything and everything that he can conjure up.

‘The thief cometh but for to steal, and kill, and destroy. . .’ (John 10:10a)  but Jesus came ‘that they (we) may have life, and may have it abundantly.’  (John 10:10b)

The second thing to fear, for the unwary, is the CHURCH they may be attending.   Do you know that the church can serve as an enemy to our souls? Fear the church that does not preach and teach the Gospel of Christ and the whole counsel of God, that does not teach that there is only ONE WAY to be saved which is through the blood of Jesus.  Fear the church that does not explain the way to salvation and eternal life through repentance of sins and believing in God’s Word.  Fear the church that has compromised with the world and adopted its views to ‘go with the flow’ and is leading their members down the broad way that leads to destruction. Jesus said:

‘Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’   Mt7:13,14.

RUN from the church that never mentions sin and repentance, hell and coming judgment, the signs of the end times, and soon return of Christ.

The third and most important fear is a godly fear, FEAR GOD, this fear meaning to honor and reverence God and His Word.  This is what the Bible says about the fear of the LORD:

 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  Prov 1:7

 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.  Prov 9:10

FEAR GOD should be number one on this short list.  If we fear God and live by His Word we can have faith to live above those things that discourage and defeat us.  This is why it is important to be in a church where Bible study is taught by Bible-believing pastors and leaders who teach from the Bible, and not preach ear-tickling, feel good sermons, and the latest false teachings that are going around as new revelation.  

We overcome worldly fears by the Word of God which builds up our faith. These are some of the many promises in the Bible regarding God helping us in time of need:

 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Psa 46:1

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  Rom 10:17 

 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.  Jer 33:3 

 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.  Psa 34:4 

 

Faith is the opposite of Fear. Here is more on Faith:

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  Heb 11:6.

‘… faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’   Rom 10:17

 

‘the man in right standing with God [the just, the righteous] shall live by and out of faith and he who through and by faith is declared righteous and in right standing with God shall live. [Hab. 2:4]  Gal 3:11 AMP Bible

 

To ‘endure to the end’ and survive as Christians, we will need GREATER FAITH, which will only come by serious personal study and taking heed of God’s Word, especially if there is little or no emphasis on Bible study in your church.  

 

Jesus said, 

The words that I speak to you, they are spirit and they are life.   John 6:63b  

Related links:

https://heulu.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/whom-shall-i-fear-of-whom-shall-i-be-afraid/

https://heulu.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/what-is-the-fear-of-the-lord/