WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?

The Bible says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Tim 1:7)  Fear confronted the early Christians in the first century.  They not only faced the fury of the Roman government, but their Jewish brethren often berated them.   We should not be afraid when we have the opportunity to speak out and proclaim the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Timothy Wilkes relates to his students in the Fishers of Men program, that the "only way to overcome our fear is to face our fear."  It seems that we are so programmed by "success" in our culture that our potential failure or rejection of ideas is abhorrent to us.  We must accept the fact that there will be some who will reject biblical authority and strive on to find those who will.

We seem to cringe when asked to provide information to substantiate our beliefs.  We often lean on personality traits such as shyness or quietness to justify our inability to approach others about the Gospel.   Brethren who were uneducated stood before wealthy and powerful men and proclaimed the truth with boldness.  Don't you think that they were afraid?  Yes, they probably were, but that did not deter them from doing the Father's will.

Make a stronger effort this year to confront your fears and be aware that "Into our hands, the Gospel is given."

Paul