Dear Aliens,
I am terrified! Do you know the synonyms? Here are a few – shocked, startled, spooked, scared, frightened, horrified, and panicked.
You may be thinking that I am not biblical because over and over our Lord tells us not to fear anything or anyone except Him. It is true that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the holy One is understanding.”
But I am afraid and in good company if you consider the apostle Paul to be reputable. This is what He writes to the church he planted and God’s people who he loved in wicked Corinth.
“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his trickery, your minds will be led astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” 2 Cor. 11:3 NASB
“And now I’m afraid that exactly as the Snake seduced Eve with his smooth tongue, you are being lured away from the simple purity of your love for Christ.” The Message
Last Sunday we ended our “Believe” series in the gospel of John and Jesus asked Peter 3 times if he loved Him. Jesus is adamant that what He longs for is our single-hearted devotion.
Paul’s passion for the Corinthians is that they would keep Jesus as the love of their lives. That they would keep Him “central” and the very object of their affection. Isn’t that down deep what you long for? But let’s be real friends, you and I did not wake up this morning on a friendly planet. We woke up as we do every day to a war. John, who wrote the gospel of John, wrote in his first little postcard these poignant words, “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19
The battleground is your thought life, and your mind is either being conformed to the pattern of this world or it is being transformed by truth. There is no middle ground.
Paul in 2 Cor. 11 was jealous for his fellow brothers and sisters with a godly jealousy. Just like those of us who have children are zealous for their spiritual growth and maturity.
This Sunday I am doing a stand-alone message called, “Living with Thorns” from 2 Cor. 12:1-10. Let me remind you that your husband, your wife, your child, your work associate, and your next-door neighbor are not the kind of thorn that Paul was talking about. Paul asked 3 times for whatever his thorn in the flesh was to be removed but the Lord did not answer his prayer.
You see I am afraid that when things happen in our lives that are unpleasant that we opt out instead of allowing our loving Father to accomplish His purposes for His glory! I do not know what you are going through but I am confident that His grace will be sufficient and that His power is perfected in your weakness.
Grace to you and peace,
Glen