Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 2:14-15
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Chrysostom of Constantinople, threatened and finally exiled by the Empress Eudoxia, states in a sermon at the time of his banishment: “What can I fear? Will it be death? But you know that Christ is my life. Will it be exile? But the earth and all its fullness is the Lord’s. Will it be loss of wealth? But we brought nothing into the world and can carry nothing out. Thus all the terrors of the world are contemptible in my eyes, and I smile at all its good things. Poverty I do not fear.
Riches I do not sigh for. Death I do not shrink from, and life I do not desire to save only for the process of souls. And so if they banish me, I shall be like Elijah! If they throw me in the mire, like Jeremiah. If they plunge me in the sea, like Prophet Jonah! If into the pit, like Daniel! If they stone me, it is Stephen I shall resemble! John the forerunner, if they cut off my head! Paul, if they beat me with stripes! Isaiah, if they saw me asunder.” Chrysostom’s attitude captures the essence of what a Christian’s attitude should be in the face of life’s many trials – Fearless!
Nothing cripples humans like fear. In fact, at the heart of every human problem is fear, especially the fear of death. This is why our opening scripture is so profound. Christ has set us free from the bondage of fear, even from its most crippling aspect, the fear of death. We have nothing to fear in the present age and nothing to fear in the age to come. Here, His angels are given charge over us, and He will ensure we do not dash our feet against a stone. Even death has lost its power over us, because we have eternal life in Him. We do not die, in the sense of a final end; we only transition to life eternal. Yes, death has been swallowed up in victory. We are free in every sense of the word.
Now imagine how uninhibited and full of joy and power we would be, if we but walked in the reality of this truth. All we need do is believe; believe in the finished work of Christ and the enduring, unfathomable love of God that enabled it. Perfect love casts out all fear. We have a God who is not only completely in love with us, but also all-powerful, able to provide for us, able to protect us. Friends, we have nothing to fear. We are free from it. Let us embrace the love of God. Let us embrace our freedom in Christ. Let us live free. God is with us, in Jesus’ name.
Memorise & Meditate:
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” Romans 8:15
Prayer & Confession:
God has set me free from the spirit of fear. He has given me the spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind. Fear has no hold over me. I am free indeed, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
