Fear Not

How many times is "fear not" in the Bible? The terrorists are spreading fear throughout the world and people are wrestling with how to live and be in this condition. Facebook posts rant on the absence of Christian love when Syrian refugees are not accepted into the United States. Someone responds that our fear is making us hateful. Another rejects the comparison to the Jewish refugees that were not accepted during WWII on the grounds that the Jewish refugees didn't come to spread terror. The person who posts the original thought on how Christian we should be is an atheist (at least she thinks she is). A proclamation of prayer for Paris is attacked as if it is a hate act. Fear, with its many faces, seeps up through the very sand on which we stand today. Jesus, his offer of salvation (paid for by his own blood), and his example is all that should matter to a Christian. Jesus washed the feet of Judas with full knowledge that his betrayal at the hands of this particular disciple was imminent. Jesus knelt and served, was crucified and forgave in spite of anything evil in the hearts of those He served and died for. Jesus admonishes us to live abundantly because He gave us that gift. It is overwhelming to even attempt to understand the enormity of His grace. All of us are accountable: those who reject any opportunity to serve humbly those in need, and those who ignore or reject Jesus daily but like to spout His name with finger wagging judgement at anyone who professes to know Him. From a world that rejects Him, this is used as proof of Christian hypocrisy. Jesus is Christianity; Jesus is perfections; Jesus is forgiveness; Jesus is salvation; Jesus is without blemish in His example of love and mercy. None of the rest of us can live up to that standard; he died for us anyway. As a Christian, I will not fear nor hate those who hate me. I desire this to be true, but there is no way that is happening in my humanness. I have to ask for the Holy Spirit to change my heart daily. As a Christian, I will live in this world attempting to shine a light with my service (for God not people) and compassion. I have to ask the Holy Spirit to open my eyes to even be able to see the opportunities to serve, let alone serve well. If I am paying enough attention to my own life's purpose, I will be far too busy to mock or denigrate what other people are doing or struggling to do. If this treatment of my Savior and the Savior of the world breaks my heart, how much greater must be the sorrow of Our Lord.