What Are You Afraid Of? Part 2

Posted on August 17, 2021 by Catey Stover in Victory Call

Yesterday I shared a portion of a message shard by Dr. Michael Kruger from RTS in Charlotte, NC.  Today I share the concluding portion of his outline.[1]  We are considering a very common issue in today’s world – in and out of the Church.  Fear.  What are you afraid of?

FEAR #3: Are you AFRAID OF BEING CONDEMNED?

Is there residing somewhere deep in your heart a fear that you will still be punished for your sin?  Does condemnation still lurk? Do you bear a sense of guilt that you can’t be free from?
Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. vs.33-34

SOLUTION: REST IN DIVINE JUSTICE
We know and believe that God is Just – it is that very fact that brings comfort in knowing that God would not, could not punish us for sins that have already been paid for.  God will not commit double jeopardy – punishing Jesus for our sins and then punishing us for our sins.  As a redeemed child of God – our accounts have been PAID IN FULL – we are fully forgiven, there is no debt left to be paid.

We can rest in God’s Justice.

Maybe neither #1, 2 or 3 fit you. Maybe you can’t really put your finger on WHAT you are afraid of.

FEAR #4: Are you AFRAID OF EVERYTHING? [This is a common issue.]
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Are you afraid of death? … neither death nor life …Covered.
Are you afraid of demonic/spiritual powers? … nor angels nor rulers…nor powers… Covered.
Are you afraid of the future?  … things present nor things to come … …Covered.
Are you afraid of “anything else in all creation”? Covered.

SOLUTION: HOPE IN DIVINE LOVE
God’s love surpasses everything.  There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18
Fearful? Paul doesn’t leave anything out. In Christ, every form of fearfulness is covered.
Want to conquer your fears?

• Know the Divine Disposition
• Understand Divine Logic
• Rest in Divine Justice
• Hope in Divine Love

Blessings,
Diane

[i] https://rts.edu/romans/
[1] Any misrepresentation of Dr. Kruger’s outline, teaching or intention is solely my error.
[1] Comments with in [ ] are my editorial

 

Written By Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and provides ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: ² Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. ³ And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:2-3