Discipleship Against FearSýnishorn

“Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus offer acceptable worship, with reverence and awe for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:28-29). Following this exhortation, the author of Hebrews offers instructions about how Christians are to live. They are to continue in brotherly love (13:1), show hospitality to strangers (13:2), remember those who are in prison (13:3), avoid sexual immorality and adultery (13:4), and remain free from the love of money and content (13:5).

This way of life is possible not because Christians are somehow morally superior to others but because God has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (13:5; cf. Josh 1:5). It is the Lord’s presence with us and faithfulness to us that gives Christians the confidence to live strangely by putting others before ourselves, remaining faithful to the commitments we’ve made, and being content with what we have. To put it differently, because we trust God is with us and for us, there is no need for us to disregard others, seek inappropriate pleasure, or enslave ourselves to wealth.

As such, we can proclaim, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Citing Psalm 118:6, which begins with a threefold repetition of “His steadfast love endures forever,” the author of Hebrews reminds us that we need not fear the things of the world. With God as our helper, we have no need to fear.

Overcoming fear, in part, involves allowing God to prove his trustworthiness. As we trust God by obeying his word, he will show himself faithful. As we trust him by living wisely, he will make his presence known in our lives. Overcoming fear begins with obedience because it is by living as God has called us to live that we become aware of all that God is doing in and among us. The interconnection between our way of life, God’s promise never to forsake us, and our release from the fears of this world point us to the importance of a life lived in line with God’s word.