Fearless Faith

The Bible says the righteous will live by faith and for those who do, their faith will be credited to them as righteousness. Paul wrote in the fourth chapter of Romans, “What does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.” (Romans 4:3-5).

Noah spent over fifty years building an ark because he had faith that God was going to flood the earth (Genesis 6). Abraham believed that God would spare his only son Isaac so he faithfully prepared to sacrifice him to God (Genesis 22). Daniel did not cease worshipping God despite the decree that forbade it and was thrown into the den with the lions only to survive without a mark on him (Daniel 6:21-23).

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to worship the golden statue as King Nebuchadnezzar commanded and were sentenced to be thrown into a blazing furnace. In response to the threat before them they declared, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18). Nebuchadnezzar was furious and had the furnace heated up seven times hotter. They were thrown in but emerged unharmed. Their hair wasn’t even singed, their robes weren’t scorched and there was no smell of fire on them (verse 27).

Paul reminds us in Galatians 3:11, “Clearly no one is justified by the law, because, ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” Habakkuk 2:4 similarly teaches, “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright – but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness – “.  

And again in Hebrews 10:38-39 we read, “’But the righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back I will not be pleased with him.’ But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”

Furthermore, believers are not given a spirit of fear, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7). Joshua 1:9 clearly states, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

If God Is For Us, Who Can Stand Against Us?

Make no mistake, Christians are to be bold and fearless, knowing that God is their strength. We are not to be intimidated by the evil forces of the world. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).  And Paul once again says, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell.” (Matthew 10:28). It is with this type of faithfulness that many first century believers stood firm in the face of persecution and death. It was this kind of conviction that brought the Christian church out of infancy and into adolescence amidst adversity.

The resolve to endure hardship through faith because of their belief is what steeled the nerves and determination of the martyrs throughout the dark and middle ages. Many were burned at the stake for heresies such as translating the Bible into English, rejecting church authority in favor of direct inspiration from God, or simply for being Protestant. The rocky history of the church is a story of faith vs religion, not that different from the pharisaical forces that Jesus encountered in first century Jerusalem.

The Center for the Study of Global Christianity estimates that there are still around 100,000 Christians killed each year because of their faith. Believers in China, Africa, Iran, Pakistan and other places continue to pay dearly for following Christ.

Standing Firm In Christ

Fearless faith is not blind faith. It is recognizing the risks and dangers associated with standing firm in Jesus Christ and living for His glory, knowing that our welfare hinges upon Him. An example of this is the rationale to remain unvaccinated during the pandemic of the last few years while working in front line jobs, often unmasked when necessary. Many people lost their careers, were restricted from travelling or eating in restaurants. Families were disrupted and torn apart. The price was high for those who chose to live by faith alone.

In my case I reasoned that God created my immune system and He would protect me and prosper me when I placed all of my hope in Him. I knew fully that He would be my shield and protection and never doubted that I would remain healthy, which I did. I always felt that God was with me daily, strengthening me. But if it was His will that I succumb to the disease, so be it, it would not be for lack of faith. I totally identified with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and hung on the words of Paul in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

I am not implying that those who chose vaccination, isolation or masking lacked faith but simply that I chose faith over fear as my course of action. Faith is deeply personal. The writer of Hebrews expounds upon faith in the eleventh chapter. In verse one he says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

He goes on to elaborate using the faith of Able, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Barak, Sampson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets as examples. Through their faith they “conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned, sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute and mistreated – the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:33-40). Indeed, God has something unfathomably better waiting for all who are faithful.

Persevere With Patience

Our lives are filled with adversity and being a Christian doesn’t exempt us from it. In fact from the minute we believe, the evil one initiates an ongoing spiritual onslaught against our position in Christ. In the face of such adversity we must put on the full armor of God and persevere with patience and faith. Pastor John MacArthur likens this to Jesus’ own experience. “All the while our Savior was in His father’s shop everything was fine, as long as He was working with the carpenters tools it was fine, Satan didn’t trouble Him but when He embarked upon a ministry that’s when it hit. No sooner was Christ out of the water of baptism than He was in the fire of temptation.”

When Peter got out of the boat to go to Jesus who was walking on the water, he was able to do the same until he was distracted by the wind and the waves and he began to sink (Matthew 14:30). Similarly, we must look directly into the eyes of Jesus and rely upon the strength of the Mighty One who stands with us. And never doubt that no matter the outcome we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, because we are saved by grace – through faith.

When our personal hour of testing arrives, we must be ready to stand strong in faith. This is our Christian calling. This is our destiny. Write these words of Jesus on your hearts and in your minds: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3). Praise the Lord!