No Fear in Love

by Kay Heitsch

Today, I looked to see if there was a number listed of fears and phobias people have. Believe it or not, the article I read said it was not possible to number the fears and phobias that exist today. Wow, how sad!

The fear of dying was one of the biggest fears listed that people have. There were many reasons behind this fear of dying. Some people are afraid of having to deal with physical pain. Some are afraid of the unknown. Some fear the loss of control. Others fear punishment for the things they did or did not do. The list goes on.

I had some of these fears before I studied the Bible. It was a big relief to learn that I had nothing to fear about death or my eternal destination, because of my personal relationship with the LORD.

Once I got my eyes off of myself and focused on Jesus, all fear was gone. I learned that He had paid the price for all of my sins. It was a done deal. I didn't need to fear my eternal destination. I didn't need to wonder if I was good enough. Jesus was good enough! It wasn't about me. It was all about Him!

John 3:16 says, "God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not die but will have eternal life." It is because of our belief in Jesus and what He has done for us that we have eternal life. What amazing love and a free gift!

At first, when I read the part in John 3:16 "will not die" I didn't understand what that meant. After all, we all will die physically. But when I read 2 Corinthians 5:8 this verse cleared it up for me. It said, "Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord."

I realized John 3:16 was talking about our spiritual self, who we really are, would not die. Our earthly bodies will die and go back to the dust, but these bodies are not who we really are. When we leave our earthly body, we will be at home with the Lord. Now that's wonderful to know. After all, this world is not our home. Heaven is our real home.

As Paul said, he would rather be away from his earthly body for then he would be at home with the Lord. Now that should give us confidence that we have nothing to fear when it comes to dying.

Really, we don't need to live in fear because the Bible says, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear." 1 John 4:18

What a way to live the abundant life that Jesus died to give us!