p. 7 | FEAR NOT by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 12, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 24.

“FEAR NOT.”

By G.

The primary definition of fear is, “To regard with dread, fright, or terror; be apprehensive or afraid of; as to fear an enemy; to fear death by violence.” A secondary idea is, “To look upon with awe or reverence; desire to avoid displeasing; venerate, as to fear God.” These definitions are from the “Standard Dictionary.”

When God says to His people, “Fear not,” it is fear in this primary sense from which He would deliver them. Such fear is common in the world, in both man and beast. It is a result of sin. Fear in the secondary sense is a product of love; it comes of a spirit of obedience, and such fear is pleasing to God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do His commandments.” Ps. 111:10. Jesus says: “Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear Him.” Luke 12:4, 5.

We are not to be afraid of God or of Christ as of an enemy that would do us harm. “Perfect love [of God] casteth out fear [of man]; because fear hath torment.” 1 John 4:18. Christ does not want His people to suffer torment, either in this life or in the Judgment. David expresses the contrast of fear in this way: “Let them now that fear the Lord say, that His mercy endureth forever. I called upon the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear; what can man do unto me?” Ps. 118:4-6. In another place he says, “In God have I put my trust; I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.” Ps. 56:11.

When the first Adam fell, thru disobedience, his first realization of his lost condition was a terrible fear and dread of his Creator, as of an enemy. He knew that he had sinned, and that “the wages of sin is death.” He had put himself in a position of “enmity against God,” and could no more enjoy a personal companionship, as before. But Christ interposed the Gospel of salvation in order to break down the enmity, and restore the lost race. In view of this new prospect set before us, the psalmist sings, “Tho I walk thru the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me.”

That is the secret of courage and faith and success, Christ is with us. His success on earth was attained by His having God with Him. His testimony was: “I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things.” John 8:28. “The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself; but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.” Ch. 14:10.

Peter supplements this testimony when speaking in the house of Cornelius at Cesarea. In presenting the Gospel on that occasion he told the people “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.” Acts 10:38. For this reason He could stand before the Jewish Council undaunted when that body condemned Him and adjudged Him worthy of death. For this reason He could bear unflinchingly the taunts and tortures heaped upon Him by His prosecutors and by the soldiers when arraigned before Pilate and Herod. For this reason He had no dread of the governor, who had power to release or to crucify, and did not care to so much as make a defense of Himself in the face of the most cruel death that Satanic malice could invent. When He knew that He was about to pass “thru the valley of the shadow of death,” He did not fear what man could do to Him. He calmly said to the governor, “Thou couldst have no power at all against Me, except it were given thee from above.”

In turn we have the promise that Christ will be with us; and as He could do nothing without the Father, so we can do nothing without Him. He has left us for a time in this sinful world as sheep among wolves, yet we are to maintain courage. “In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Ch. 14:27. By faith the enmity is taken away, and peace is made with God. There is nothing more in this world to fear, if we keep the peace by trusting God and obeying His commandments. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Rom. 8:1.

On a certain occasion during the earthly ministry of Christ, His disciples started across the Sea of Galilee in a boat, and Jesus remained behind. In the night a storm arose, and the disciples had a hard time in rowing. To add to their perplexity, toward morning they saw what they supposed was a spirit, or ghost, walking upon the water. “And they cried out for fear.” But Jesus, seeing their unnecessary terror, called out to them, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” Immediately following this assurance there was an illustration of fear as a natural result of looking away from Christ. Peter wanted to test the matter, whether it was indeed Jesus, so he said, “Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.” Jesus told him to come, and Peter started. As he walked, he lost the necessary confidence in Christ, looked away, and immediately became frightened at the wind and the waves. Of course he began to sink in the water. On his crying for help, the Lord took him by the hand, and said to him, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” The doubter is always a spiritual coward, and always fails.

When the Lord appeared unto John on the isle of Patmos, the apostle “fell at His feet as one dead.” Then the Lord laid His hand on His servant and said, “Fear not; I am the first and the last, and the Living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of hades.” Rev. 1:17, 18, R. V. Here is an assurance for frail mortals that is doubly sure. It takes in the present life and guarantees a future life. Suppose we should be placed in prison or in exile “for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus,” the all-powerful Saviour knows all about it. If the enemy is allowed to do us harm, it is for our good, or for the good of the Master’s cause. We need not fear; the enemy can have no more power over us than the Lord permits. Even if we should have to pass thru death’s dark vale, He has gone that way before us, and has the keys of the adversary’s prison-house.

Paul had more trials and tribulation than any of the apostles; yet he knew no fear, because none of these things could separate him from Christ. His hope and his courage lay in the belief that the Master holds the keys of death and the grave. He cared not that bonds and afflictions awaited him in every city. He only cared to finish the work that God had given him to do, and at last to come up in the resurrection of the righteous. “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” G.