Photo by Serhii Bondarchuk on pexels: pexels.com/@serhii-bondarchuk-216200266/
These words come from our Autumn 2022 “Contact” leaflet.
There are many things to fear in the world. War is on everyone’s mind. But there’s also: the economy; new waves of Covid; social unrest. Then there are fears in personal life: health; loss of job; a family member in trouble; a cruel bully. So many things to fear. How do we cope?
There are different answers to that question. Some people shrug and say “do what you can, accept what you can’t”. Others hide in drink and fun. The superstitious put it down to “fate” and “luck”. Yet none of these ways of coping with life gives a satisfying answer to fear. At best they just dampen our concerns down, not remove them.
So can anything help? It’s hard to imagine what. Many issues that make us afraid, we have no power over. At times there simply is no way to stop a war, cure a cancer or keep a job. Often, the only thing we can do is learn to handle our fears as best as we can.
Jesus, however, points to a different way which starts with us thinking about God. Now, you might reply “That’s no use to me, I’m not religious.” But this isn’t about belonging to some religious club – it’s more important than that. Or you might reply “I already think about God.” But Jesus’ question to you is: are you thinking about him correctly? Either way, take this moment to reflect on God.
Start by recognising God is God. You and I are not the centre of the universe, the most important thing there is. In fact, the centre of the universe isn’t either. That’s because we did not make ourselves, and the universe did not make itself; everything was made by one who is all-powerful, all-knowing and all-wise: God. And he does what he wishes without asking us for our opinion. That’s a truth which, if you grasp it, will humble you, and maybe scare you, when you recognise that such a supreme being exists.
But Jesus doesn’t just talk about a powerful God who is far off, like an inventor who starts up a machine and then leaves. God made the universe and keeps it going. What happens anywhere and everywhere does so because God has decided it should. Sometimes that makes us ask: “Why did God do that?” But he’s not obliged to give an answer. Why should he? He’s God! Could tiny minds like ours even cope with his explanations? No. And God does not owe an answer to us anyway. We’re not his judges.
“No you’re not,” says Jesus. “In fact, God is your judge and he’s appointed me to assess your life for him.” That’s important. God made the whole universe. He keeps it all going. He decides how it should work. Life is not random. You can’t just do with it whatever you like, whatever pleases you, because you’re not the original designer or owner. God is, and you have to answer to him for how you’ve used your life. And, according to Jesus, that’s not a conversation we want to have, given how much we have abused God’s world and one another.
Now, there’s lots more to say in regard to thinking about God, but stop and ponder what you’ve just read. Let the force of God as your maker and judge have an impact upon you. In comparison with facing such a God, don’t other fears now seem rather titchy? They should do if you’re thinking clearly. God is a lot more scary than anything else you can imagine.
But viewing life that way is such a good place to be, because you’re facing reality, seeing life as it truly is. When you do that – when you get a rightly balanced view of God, the universe and yourself – you’re ready to find the real answer to fear. How come? Because you’re ready, says Jesus, to come back to God, and God really wants that. We’ve spent our lives ignoring God as though he’s nothing, or turning him into a weak god who suits us. That’s so wrong and has led us down many foolish and wicked paths, making our fears worse. But if we turn back to God, with sorrow for all we’ve done wrong, and ask him for forgiveness, then he welcomes us back and promises to care for us for ever. His awesome power will give us an eternal life of joy. Which means that the source of every other fear can be dealt with – illness, death, crime, war, disaster etc. – because God is more powerful than them all. At most, they can only harm you for a very short time, if you entrust your life to God. Jesus calls us to trust in God, receive forgiveness and come under the care of a heavenly Father.
However, you can’t see, hear or touch God, so is trusting him just an attitude of mind – a leap of faith into the dark? No. Jesus doesn’t invite anyone to do that; he offers something much better. Jesus invites us to have faith in a God who has shown he can be trusted. That’s because Jesus is God come to us. The many miracles he performed proved it. The way he transformed lives that no-one else could change, showed the same. Jesus did these things because he is God, come to us, down here. Maybe you find that hard to process because of what your own religion or belief system has told you. But it is still true You see, there is a mystery about God which can seem the most terrifying thing of all: that he is three in one. One God who exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each fully God but sharing a single life. Jesus is God. That’s really frightening, but it’s true and is why we can be confident in God’s care of us.
What is the answer to all the fears we have? What can take them away? What can give us lasting peace in a world of trouble? Jesus Christ says to us: “me”. If you know him as your Lord and Saviour, there’s nothing else worth fearing. So come and find God. We’ve got some public talks coming up to help you do that. We’d love to see you at one or more of them.
David Last, Minister, Forest Baptist Church
Autumn Events – All held at the Welsh Chapel, High Road, Leytonstone, E11 1HR
Sunday 25th September, 5.00pm – “Talking about fear” – A sermon on Jesus’ words about fear and God
This sermon was recorded and may be heard by clicking here: Fear Not
Monday 26th September, 7.15pm – “The fear of war” – An interview with a Christian who had to face war in his homeland of Ukraine.
Sunday 2nd October, 10.30am – Harvest Service