DO NOT FEAR #4

Next in Jesus’ ‘Do Not Be Afraid’ teaching he said, “Do not be anxious (afraid) ‘when you are hated by all… on the account of my name” (Matthew 10:22). He is addressing the fear of family, friends, and being called a follower of the devil (vs. 21-25). Don’t be afraid of such things, says Jesus, because they called me these things and I have had the same experiences with my family and friends. The fear of rejection is one of the greatest fears because most people have already been rejected by someone or something lesser than Christ and to be rejected on his account is unthinkable to most.

Then next, “Do not fear, for nothing covered will not be revealed and nothing hidden will not be known” (v.26). For many years I have viewed this verse as an exposing of evil and a revealing of sin and evil practices. It may have this as a side issue in meaning; but the greater meaning is the promise of the Lord to reveal issues that are covered by our natural and basic skills and to make known to us His mysteries. What He “tells us in darkness” and “whispers in our ear” we can proclaim anywhere without fear and in full faith knowing we ‘heard from God’ and are speaking what He would speak and doing what He would do.

“Do not fear, only believe.” Jesus