11/07/2014
By Bobby Conner
The simple definition of terrorism is:
“The use of brutal heartless inhuman acts of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce especially to promote widespread fear.”
“The state of fear and submission produced by terrorism.”
It would seem the entire world is being gripped in a vise of fear. Plagues along with brutal unspeakable acts of terror, these horrifying endeavors, unfold before our eyes. Many are falling into fear and panic this is not the will of God.
As followers of Christ the King we are commanded to be brave, bold, and extremely courageous:
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Yes, it is a commandment for us to be brave and bold:
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
The Message Bible states this promise:
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”
God has not given us a spirit of timidity or fear, but a heart and spirit filled with overwhelming confidence and faith in God (see 2 Timothy 1:7). I encourage each of us to follow the advice given in Hebrews 12:12 “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees. “
Now therefore, let our hands be strengthened, and be valiant…………”
2 Samuel 2:7
An extremely wise man penned these thought-provoking words:
The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.
Proverbs 28:1
Within this short Scripture, we discover an exceptionally significant truth: the righteous are bold as a lion. This truth helps to unlock the mystery of our chronic spiritual weakness and daily struggles to become Christlike. What is that mystery? It is a mystery that the devil, the foe of our soul, knows—and a truth that few believers understand. If the righteous are bold as a lion, then it follows that purity produces power! What else follows? The corollary truth: if purity produces power, then sin produces weakness.
In light of this truth, what is the devil's strategy? He seeks to sidetrack us into as much contamination as he possibly can, to render us powerless in the Kingdom of God. Sin brings shame and shame produces timidity and fear.
By this sobering truth we may judge our true spiritual maturity: if we lack power, we lack holiness. We may have received Christ's righteousness imputed to us at our salvation, but we are still walking in the flesh as carnal Christians. Take this to heart, brothers and sisters in Christ: a lack of demonstrated power is a testimony to our carnality.
We must walk in purity if we are to walk in real power (Psalms 66:18).
Once we discover the foremost reason for our lack of genuine power—a lack of genuine holiness—we can move forward with a repentant heart. We can ask the Lord to deliver us from everything that separates us from Him, be it carnal thoughts, bitter root judgments, toxic emotions or disobedient, ungodly habits and attitudes. Without question, our sin is the principal reason for our continual failure to walk like Christ. The Word tells us, "As He is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17). If we are not Christlike—loving like Christ, behaving like Christ and thinking like Christ—then we have a sin problem, plain and simple. Don’t allow sin to rob you of your joy and fruitfulness.
Never forget the devil always attempts to counterfeit the gifts of God. Therefore, if Godly purity results in true boldness, the devil’s counterfeit is arrogance produced by human pride. God likewise always resist the proud, but offers outstanding overflowing grace to the humble (see 1 Peter 5:5).
God’s warning is exceedingly clear: "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, NIV). We must live lives of radical holiness, no matter the consequences—but don't confuse holiness with man-made legalism. True holiness is born of the law of the Spirit and produces overflowing life and peace, while religious legalism is born of the letter of the law and produces only barrenness and death. Remember, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17).
Join me in David’s prayer and ask God to create within us a pure, clean heart (Psalms 51:6), knowing that God is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and sin (1 John 1:9). He freely gives us the clean heart we desire (Psalms 51:10).
Lift up your head and rejoice! Reject sin and shame, knowing you have been forgiven. You have been given a fresh start in Christ our righteousness.
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Our confidence and courage arises as we take time to bask in the presence of Christ.
Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalms 27:14
Rest in this promise:
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Psalms 118:6
Never forget for a single moment, because of the indwelling Christ you are unstoppable and truly invincible (see Romans 8:37).
God bless you on your journey into Christlikeness!
Bobby Conner
Eagles View Ministries
Psalms 115:14-15
