What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? 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. 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. (Romans 8:31-39 ESV)
Fear is real. Fear of rejection. Fear of death. Fear of missing out. Fear of financial ruin. Fear of the dark. Fear is a simple emotional response to a perceived threat, real or imagined. Fear can be cautionary or paralyzing. When I was a kid, I tied a towel around my shoulders like a cape and jumped off a neighbor's doghouse to fly like Superman. I still have the tiny scar above my eyebrow. Fear of falling might have kept me from making the foolish choice - but I was only about eight and I was just sure that towel cape would give me superpowers.
Two general fears that plague most of us are fear that bad things will happen and fear of loss of control. Many of us have laid awake at night with our minds racing over the bad thing that awaits us when we get up, our minds churning with all the horrible possibilities and what we will do if they happen. Some of us fear losing control so badly we cannot bring ourselves to trust our lives to an airline pilot or an anesthesiologist.
Fear, of course, can be exciting. Roller coasters and sky diving and white-water rafting are thrilling experiences because of the sense of danger involved. Or fear can be paralyzing, keeping us from starting a business or going on an international mission trip.
The Apostle Paul nails it in Romans 8:31. If God is for us, who can be against us? The sense of the wording here means '...who can prevail against us?" Who can really destroy us? Nothing and no one can destroy the one whose faith is squarely placed in Jesus Christ. Because God if for us, we do not need to live in fear.
Of course, that does not mean bad things will never happen to us. We all face our share of troubles, illness and death. Jesus was both realistic and hopeful when He told us, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Earlier in Romans, chapter 8, Paul gives us this gem of truth and hope: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:23) Note that Paul is not saying all things are good. Some things that happen in our lives are horribly painful and tragic. But in all things, God works for good for those who love Him.
In a world filled with war, poverty, crime, brokenness and pain, how do we know God is for us? Paul tells us that, too, in Romans 8:32: “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” We know God is for us because He gave up His Son for us. He has already proved His deep love for us on the cross.
We do not have to live in fear. We can paddle against the current of culture. And note this: the opposite of fear is not courage. It is trust. In the face of fear I can trust the One who gave His life for me. I can live knowing that nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus my Lord. (verse 39) This faith - this trust in my Savior and Lord - results in courage to face my fears knowing I belong to the Lord of life.
Whatever you face today that produces fear in your heart, entrust it to Jesus. Give it all to Him. Your fear. Your family. Your finances. Your future. Trust Him, and find peace. He laid down His life for you, and nothing can separate you from Him. Amen and amen.
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