FEAR NOT

The story of Christianity starts with people fleeing oppression. The book of Acts describes how this people group then spreads through the known world, taking with them their customs, their language, and these amazing stories about a man named Jesus who altered the lives of every person He came in contact with. 

Yesterday morning I was teaching Sunday School and trying to get across to the kids in my class what kind of person the Apostle Paul was before he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. This was a man who had openly sworn that he would wipe out any Christians he found. A man militantly committed to keeping the faith pure, fueled by entrenched hatred and religious fervor, who would tear apart families, dragging away mothers and fathers and children without remorse. This was a man who calmly watched as an innocent man was stoned to death for refusing to denounce his faith in Christ. 

The book of Acts describes Paul as "still breathing threats and murder" (Acts 9) against the Christians when in a single moment his entire life is shattered by a bright light and a voice from Heaven. Blind and utterly disoriented, physically and spiritually, he is led to the city of Damascus where he is told in a dream that he should seek out a well-known Christian leader named Ananias who could heal him. 

Let's recap– a dangerous religious extremist now sought refuge in the heart of precisely the community of people he had been determined to destroy. 

The Christians, including Ananias, were understandably freaked out by this development. They were well-acquainted with Paul's reputation. He had made no effort to hide his plans. So wasn't it a little convenient for him to have a conversion now? When was he going to stop the show and turn on them? When he had them all in one place? When he had enough names? 

And yet– they accepted him. On no promise other than that the Lord had a plan for him. They healed him, fed him, brought him into their homes. And Paul went on to change the course of history. 

I have seen fear used as a political weapon too many times. In the past week, it has become overwhelming. We have witnessed immigrants and refugees being treated with suspicion bordering on cruelty. And while I have been encouraged by many of my friends pushing back with courage and determination to do what is right, I have also been saddened to see many fall prey to the power of fear. Fear of strangers. Fear of being powerless. Fear of loss. Fear of the unknown. Some of the most vocal public figures spreading messages of fear have done so under a banner of professed Christianity. 

But Christians, of all people, have nothing to fear. We are the spiritual descendants of a group of people who welcomed their most feared enemy into their homes. We are not meant to live a life that revolves around safety and security. 

I believe a Christianity of fear is a Christianity devoid of Christ. And a Christianity that promises a life of safety is a lie.

““For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
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