The Widow Maker - Pt 3

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5 ESV).

The clarity of the Scripture is that only the Gospel will suffice. Have you ever noticed that virtually everyone in scripture could have been introduced in some kind of recovery group? The introductions might go something like this: “Hi. My name is Noah and I am a drunk.” “Hi. My name is Abraham. I am a coward and a liar. I would tell a lie to put my wife’s life at risk, to save my own skin.” “Hi. We are Isaac and Rebecca and we’re dysfunctional parents.” “Hi. My name is Jacob and I’m a cheater and a scoundrel.” “Hi. My name is Aaron. I’m a religious leader; but I cave in to peer pressure.” “Hi. My name is Moses and I’m a hot-head and a murderer.” “Hi. My name is Samson and I struggle with lust.” “Hi. My name is David. I am an adulterer and a murderer.” “Hi. My name is Thomas. I struggle with doubts.” “Hi. My name is Peter and I let down my best friend when he needed me most.” “Hi. My name is Paul. I am a Christian serial-killer and I am very difficult to work with.” All of these, and more, were certainly flawed and yet each was a hero of the faith. I do not believe they were rewarded for their flaws, nor do I believe their flaws were unrelated to the good that eventually occurred in their lives. Awareness of their flaws preceded real humility and unmasked their fears. They came to acknowledge in progressively deeper ways their need of God’s love and mercy. At the place of specific need, God met them with unconditional love and grace. Clearly, His love is not conditioned by our performance. The gospel can be found here. The words are very powerful. Again, God’s love is not conditioned by performance and, perhaps, all the folks listed above went on to accomplish their greatest work after their hour of crisis because they came to understand more deeply than they might have otherwise known that God’s love was deeper, richer, wider, and mightier than they ever could have imagined. Furthermore, His forgiveness goes ever deeper as well. The Bible says the antidote to fear is the love of God. Imperfect love breeds anxiety. As great as human love may be, it is never enough. Only God, from whom we can hide nothing, fully knows us, and He loves us unconditionally, with a love that casts out fear. The true Kingdom of God is made up of broken men and women mended by the love and mercy of God. In that position we will find the absence of fear. Come on… join me in being free of fear!