“Fear Not, Just Believe”? Don’t be afraid, Love Required

Have you ever heard the phrase “fear not, just believe”? Ever wondered how that could be possible? It requires love to make it happen!

Examples of the Fear Not, Just Believe concept showing up:

• ‘Overhearing what was being said, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; only keep on believing [in Me and my power].” ‘ Mark 5:36
• ‘Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] ‘ John 14:27

The Bible in the Old and New Testament tell us Fear Not or alternatively Do Not Be Afraid:

Old Testament:

• Genesis 15:1 – “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.’”
• Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
• Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
• Isaiah 43:1 – “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.’”
• Jeremiah 46:27-28 – “But do not fear, O My servant Jacob, And do not be dismayed, O Israel! For behold, I will save you from afar, And your offspring from the land of their captivity; Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease; No one shall make him afraid. Do not fear, O Jacob My servant,’ says the Lord, ‘For I am with you; For I will make a complete end of all the nations To which I have driven you, But I will not make a complete end of you. I will rightly correct you, For I will not leave you wholly unpunished.’”

New Testament:

• Luke 1:13 – “But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.’”
• Luke 2:10 – “Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.’”
• Luke 12:32 – “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
• John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
• Revelation 1:17 – “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.’”

Today’s Verse of the Day:

Firstly, let’s be the dads who choose to live without fear or dread! Secondly, let’s be the dad who live in the perfect love of Jesus knowing that His perfect, complete, and full-grown love drives out fear! Finally, let’s be the dads who live in and live out God’s love because we know that fear involves the expectation of divine punishment and yet we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus and as such choose to live in that love rather than in the fear of God’s judgment because we have grown in sufficient understanding of God’s love!

How can we apply today’s verse of the day to be able to meet the needs of our wives and kids? What can we do to live it out and bless our wives, kids, and world while at the same time glorifying God?

Applications of 1 John 4:18 towards stepping up and stepping into being the dads who fear not and just believe and so raise our families that way:

• Cultivate a Loving Atmosphere:
  • Actively work to create a home environment where love is evident in words and actions. Express your love regularly to your wife and children.
• Model Unconditional Love:
  • Demonstrate love that is not based on performance or conditions. Show your family that your love is constant, even in challenging times.
• Teach God’s Unconditional Love:
  • Share with your family the concept of God’s unconditional love. Help them understand that God’s love is not based on fear of punishment but on grace and acceptance.
• Encourage Open Communication:
  • Foster an atmosphere where your wife and children feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns without fear of judgment. Be a good listener.
• Resolve Conflicts with Love:
  • When conflicts arise, approach them with love and understanding. Teach your family the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation.
• Lead by Example:
  • Model a life lived without fear through your trust in God. Let your actions speak louder than words, showing your family what it means to live in the love of Christ.
• Prioritize Quality Time:
  • Spend quality time with your wife and children. Meaningful connections strengthen the bonds of love and diminish fear.
• Empower and Affirm:
  • Encourage and affirm your family members in their pursuits. Help them grow in confidence, knowing they are loved and supported.
• Share Stories of God’s Love:
  • Share biblical stories and personal testimonies that illustrate God’s love overcoming fear. Help your family understand the depth of God’s grace.
• Pray Together:
  • Foster a habit of family prayer. Pray together, expressing gratitude for God’s love and asking for the strength to live without fear.

Let’s take in God’s love so we can overflow it into the lives of our wives and kids so that we can all live our lives with an attitude of fear not:

Remember, applying 1 John 4:18 involves intentional actions that stem from a heart committed to love. By consistently embodying love, you contribute to a home where fear is replaced by faith and trust in God’s perfect love.