I had no idea.
I had no idea God existed, that He cared about me, or that I could connect with Him constantly.
I was an atheist. I had no clue who Jesus was, what he taught, or what he did.
Finding Jesus blew me away. Then I read in John’s Gospel that Jesus said we could live as He did.
I tell you this timeless truth: The person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do — even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father!
John 14:12 TPT
Now I know. I have met the Son of Almighty God. Jesus lives in my heart. He has baptized me with His wonderful Holy Spirit.
Blind eyes have seen because He led me to do as He did. Spit, apply mud, “Go wash.” Inside, I screamed, “God, you opened their eyes!”
A young man, comatose-like, tormented, now talking with his mother. Smiling. Free.
A mother with three children, all with different dads, who was told, “You don’t belong.” They were all born from of above. Now they know acceptance.
There are so many others. Believers learn they can also “Walk in His steps.” (see 1 Peter 2:21) Christ’s followers are lit up with joy, experiencing His life which came through them to help another, to lead another soul to Christ.
That is what it is all about for me.
Jesus Was Intent about Resisting Fear
How many times did Jesus say, “Do not be afraid?” In His teachings, Gospel message, transfiguration, and resurrection appearances, he said, “Do not be afraid.”
The disciples were terrified when Jesus walked on water. When Jesus responded, the Greek word order says, “I AM not fear!” (John 6:30). I love it! Jesus, the great I AM in sandals is the opposite of fear.
God wants you and me to be free from the torment of fear. He does this through the principle of mutual exchange. Whenever God asks or commands something of us, He gives it to us in return, and His return is always greater.
Look at His command to be born again. Jesus said, “You must be born from above” (see John 3:3). But if we do our part and we make Jesus Lord, what do we get? Eternal Life. That is a pretty good deal.
Mutual Exchange & the Harvest
Jesus commands us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Okay, that’s our part. What do we get in return? Who stands to receive the most significant benefit: us or God? Can we out-give God? No. Emphatically, no!
Whenever we obey God and proclaim Christ, He will strip all fear and intimidation from our lives.
Why is that crucial? Because fear has torment, but perfect love casts out fear.
God is love (see 1 John 4:18,16).
