“FEAR NOT!”

Dear Freedom Fighter,

Greetings in The Name above all names, our Lord Jesus Christ, before whom every knee will one day bow and every person who never did so in this life will acknowledge him as Lord. And, as part of our Hope, we will get to watch that, as well as the judgment and the ultimate death penalty (as in “forever”) of all the wicked people of all time.

We know from the Word that “the liberty by which Christ has made us free” is internal, and not dependent upon circumstances. For example, a well-known Christian prisoner of the Nazis was put in a cell so small that he could take only five steps in one direction. So, in order to maintain some degree of freedom, he determined that he would never take more than four steps. Now that is self-government! Of course, when he was finally released, it took him a long time to get anywhere on foot because he turned constantly.

Wicked people have always tried to shut up those who speak against their sin. In Acts 4, the counterfeit “spiritual” leaders, who were ostensibly religious but inwardly hated God and basically wanted to maintain their power over, and control of, the people, went wild about Peter and John preaching the Word and healing the crippled man at the Temple Gate. They threw them in jail and then grilled them the next day.

Acts 4:13, 16-20
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus…16 “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” 18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

The more time you and I spend with Jesus, the more bold we will be. The Greek word for “boldness” is a real winner, and well worth studying. It is parrhesia, and means “free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage.” The two Greek words that make up the word literally mean “to say all one thinks,” that is, not to hold back truth that should be voiced. Such freedom of speech was perhaps the most cherished privilege of a Greek or Roman citizen.

That might remind you of the wisdom of Dr. Seuss, slightly edited: “Be who you are [in Christ]. Say what you think. Those who matter don’t mind, and [the opinions of] those who mind don’t matter.”

As you may know, the spiritual battle raging between the One True God, our Heavenly Father, and His arch-enemy, the Devil, is being fought primarily with the weapon of WORDS. In Genesis 2-3, we see what God spoke to Adam, and how the Devil spoke otherwise. That was Word War I, and the first two humans lost it. During this Administration of the Secret, you and I are now living in Word War V, and we see the Enemy using the same tactics he always has. He realizes the power of the spoken Word of God to change people’s lives, and is “hellbent” on silencing all who would speak God’s truth. Here are a few more uses of parrhesia:

Acts 4:29
Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word.

2 Corinthians 3:12
Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech.

1 John 4:17
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

The “day of judgment” is not referring to a future reckoning, but to now, when people are “judging” us as they see fit. We see this in 1 Corinthians 4:3—”But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.”

Satan’s primary strategy is to use FEAR to seal our lips. That’s probably why the Number One command in the Bible is “FEAR NOT!” Remember that courage is not the absence of fear, but doing what is right even when we are afraid. Hey, we each have only one life to live and be rewarded for, and today could be our last day in this world, so let us fix our hearts upon the Hope we have, and go for it!

Romans 12:9-14, 17-21
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse… 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

It is clear that there are many evil people with whom it is impossible to live peaceably. As per the above verses—and many others, God instructs us what to do in such cases, which is first to distinguish between good and evil, and to unwaveringly stand for good. In the worst-case scenario, if your life is at stake, self-defense is very biblical, and that’s because your life as a follower of Christ is too valuable to give up without a fight. Here are a few more pertinent verses:

James 1:19-20
19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Proverbs 31:8-9
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Lamentations 3:21-26
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. 22 Through Yahweh’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24 “Yahweh is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” 25 Yahweh is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of Yahweh.

In closing, and on behalf of all those associated with this unique ministry, we want to profusely say THANK YOU to each of you who financially support our work. We could not do what we do without your backing. May God exponentially multiply your generosity back to you and prosper you in all ways.

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This teaching explains one of the most misguided judgments ever made – to judge by appearance (John 7:24). Judging by wrong standards will never lead to a godly perspective of how God sees the different races of people in the world. All humanity is created equal in the eyes of God, and we all bear the image of God, however the whole world is a prisoner of sin. Just as we are equal in sin – we are also equal in salvation. The world draws distinctions, comparisons, and man-made theologies, but God says Christ is all – and in all that believe. His desire is for us to live in perfect unity.

Racism in the World Today (37 mins)