The 28 Day Forgiveness Challenge — Day 9
Being controlled by fear is devastating. It is the natural consequence of sin. We first see this in the Garden. After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they hid from God. When God called out to Adam, Adam responded, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid” (Genesis 3:10). When sin entered Adam and Eve, fear took control of their lives. As a result, it became a part of our spiritual DNA.
Paul analyzes the problem this way: “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior” (Colossians 1:21). This is a vivid description of the lost condition. Evil behavior, what the Bible calls sin, alienates us from God and causes us to think of him as our enemy. Sin is unbelief. Sins originate with unbelief and are defined as evil behavior.
Thing started making sense to me when I realized I was letting sin and fear and wrong thinking dictate how I approached God. When you think he is your enemy, you tread lightly.
Here is the good news. God is not, nor was he ever, your enemy. If you need to be convinced, consider what John wrote: “In this is love, not that we have loved God but he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10 ESV).
God loves you, and the grace he lavished on you to provide redemption, the forgiveness of sins is the proof.
Forgiveness challenge #9 – Instead of approaching God out of fear, doing everything you can to avoid punishment, approach God with an attitude of thankfulness. Jesus gladly paid the penalty for your sins.
Walk in the truth of this verse: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
Awesome insight Brother, standing strong in trust to Father through Son and I thank you, for passing this on for us to grow in maturity in this amazing salvation, that I do not ever want to use for an occasion for flesh to take for granted, thank you again
Hey Bob,before Adam and Eve sinned they were naked.After Adam and Eve sinned they were naked.Did the sin have anything to do with their nakedness?Or was it due to the result of having a” knowledge”that produced fear?Therefore does the gospel of death burial and resurrection ,that is perfect love, produce “unknowledge”?
The gospel doesn’t erase our knowledge of good and evil. The Gospel gives us new life and the true knowledge of God.
WOW, loved this. The Lord jumped this off the page as I read: “. . . and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior” (Colossians 1:21). We were enemies in OUR minds. God was never an enemy in His mind! He has never been our enemy and when we get that we will really get that there is no fear in love!
Thanks Bob!!!
Hey Marylee,
This verse was an eye-opener for me as well. God really is for us and not against us.
Bob