Perfect Love Casts Out Fear (1)

Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”

Abundant life begins with the act of liberation by God…. The graces of God can abound when a person is free from the “snare/fear of man” and is beholden to the fear of God (Prov. 1:7). The Gospel, if you have believed it already, has done this very thing—“for you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear…” (Rom. 8:15) Such a person—the unfearful, bold in love—will undoubtedly make many rivals, friends, and disciples—not under his own power, of course—but because of Christ who insists on breaking snares and securing our escape “…from the snare of the fowler” (Psalm 124:7). When Christ breaks the snare of “the fear of man” specifically and objectively, the saint is lofted to new heights that the creator designed for him! Because “Perfect love casts out fear” (1John 4:18), it is not a stretch to believe that Jesus is always at work breaking snares to set his creation free to glorify him. What is more, and to be very clear, the point is this: The fear of the Lord delivers us from snares. The fear of the Lord IS the beginning of wisdom.

Snares in this life abound! How can a man even know if he is caught if he does not know what a snare is, or it’s uses? A snare is a trap meant to keep it’s prize alive but prohibits its progress of any kind. It is a tool used by the trapper to catch prey when they are unable to be everywhere all at once. Fear by itself, is also a devastating device used in the spiritual realm as well as the physical! And, although it is not meant to kill, it is meant to maim and/or bring under control until the hunter makes claim of his prize. In this case, it is Fear vs. Fear: “reverence/awe/respect of man” contending against the “reverence/awe/respect for God” (many snares contend against our fear of God). We must choose, and we are implored by God to fear him—not just for God’s sake, but for our own good. Because he is good.

Jesus’ ministry, in a way, was one of exorcism: of sin, fear, doubt, devils—and like the old Christmas carol recounts: “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight”. WE HAVE A SAVIOR WHO INSISTS ON SAVING AND BREAKING SNARES. Perfect love, the only form of love that God uses to describe himself (the Greek word: agape), casts out fear. He is our hope—not just future–NOW! Jesus broke snares all throughout his ministry by just being God in holy human flesh. God still breaks snares in the world today. He won’t ever stop breaking snares by the power of the Gospel. And He left us a greater advantage in our weakness: the Holy Spirit.

 “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, (#1) he will convict the world concerning sin and (#2) righteousness and (#3) judgement: (#1b) concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; (#2b) concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; (#3b) concerning judgement, because the ruler of this world IS JUDGED.” (John 16:7-11)

The above verse is, in fact, the Mission Statement of the work of the Holy Spirit on earth: #1He will convict the world concerning sin–for the purpose of directing them (sinners) to believe in Christ. #2 Righteous acts are be delivered to earth thru the power of King Jesus at the right hand of the Father, thru the trophies of his grace (you and me). #3 Judgment: Satan is a defeated foe and is no match for the power of the Holy Spirit that has come into the world…. The truth of this “Mission” is breathtaking for the believer! The mission is not without spiritual and physical convulsions in the world—anyone studying history can see that. But the Gospel will be successful. God will be successful to save, because it is the work of God (the Holy Spirit) in the world thru believers. This supernatural work depends on God alone thru those who trust him and believe.

The truth of the Gospel is ONLY EVER EFFECTIVE by the power of the Holy Spirit. That is why we cannot (and SHOULD NOT) attach anything more, or less, to the Gospel. It is sufficient to break fear, conquer sin, and champion in the face of a defeated foe in a Gospel hope SECURED IN GOD, BY GOD!

And what is more? Fruit is expected in this mission of the Holy Spirit. Slaves are set free from spiritual tyranny–and the “cause and effect” of that truth permeates the realm we know and live: the physical world. We are not gnostics. We do not have a “gnostic gospel”. The gospel is not detached from the realm of the physical. The Gospel comes in power; it would be foolish to think that a slave is free but still in chains. NO! Faith is shown to be true when followed by the visible fruit of righteous works. How can we not expect them and encourage them?

Tyranny and spiritual decay often loses it’s worshipping audience when the Holy Spirit convicts in his threefold mission. Hear me correctly, I am not saying we conquer the world, I am saying that Christ is the Savior of the World, and He alone conquers. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17)