~Do Not Fear by Patty Waechter

There is something I've been reflecting on...

I was wondering why so many countries are so dead-set against Jesus Christ.  Why is it illegal to follow Him to the point of torture, imprisonment, and yes, even death?

Why the fear of Jesus when they could receive peace like never before?

Is it the fear of change?  Change in the way they think.  Fear in the change of losing something?  Like greed or power?  Or, is it because they lived in darkness for so long that the light blinds them?

Are they afraid of what's been in their hearts?  The darkness and the ugliness of sin?  Are they afraid of what the light will reveal in them.  The truth of who they really are.

Are they afraid to let others see where they are most vulnerable and weak?

Are they so insecure that they have to crush others?

Is this why the Pharisees and the Sadducees wanted to put Christ to death?  Because of their fear of change?  Because they knew the light would show their darkness and ugliness within their hearts.

Were they afraid to face the truth?  The truth about who they really were?

Sinners like the rest of us.

Were they afraid if the truth about what was really in their hearts cease to make them to lose their standing and public praise?

No wonder Jesus Christ said, "Do Not Fear."

Fear can cripple and rob.

It can destroy.
It can cause panic and confusion.
It could lead to destruction.

No wonder FEAR is not from Jesus and why it is from Satan.

There is no LIFE in fear.

Keep me from the error of thinking thou dost appear gloriously
when some strange light fills my heart,
as if that were the glorious activity of grace,
but let me see that the truest revelation of thyself is when thou dost eclipse all my personal glory
and all the honour, pleasure and good of this world.
~Valley of Vision-excerpt from Love to Jesus