Reflecting the King: Breaking Free from Fear and Living the Golden Rule
In a world that often feels divided and chaotic, how can we as believers stand firm in our faith and effectively share the love of Christ? Many of us struggle with the fear of rejection, hesitating to speak up or stand out. But what if we could break free from that fear and truly reflect the King we serve?
The Fear That Holds Us Back
Let's be honest – we've all been there. We don't make that phone call, we avoid that awkward conversation, or we stay silent when we should speak up. Why? Because deep down, we're afraid of rejection. We crave acceptance and worry about what others might think of us.
But Jesus addresses this fear head-on in Matthew 10:32-33: "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven." These are powerful words that remind us where our true allegiance should lie.
Throughout Scripture, we see examples of those who faced this fear:
- Saul, who admitted to Samuel, "I was afraid of the people."
- Aaron, who gave in to the Israelites' demands for a golden calf.
- Peter and John, who boldly declared to religious rulers, "Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to Him?"
- Joshua and Caleb, who brought back a good report despite the majority's negative opinion.
The outcomes of these stories teach us a crucial lesson: it is far better to be at odds with people than to be at odds with God.
Preparing for Battle: The Full Armor of God
So how do we face this fear and stand firm in our faith? We need a strategy, and thankfully, God has provided one. In Ephesians 6:10-18, we're given a powerful metaphor: the full armor of God.
This spiritual armor includes:
1. The belt of truth
2. The breastplate of righteousness
3. Feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace
4. The shield of faith
5. The helmet of salvation
6. The sword of the Spirit (the Word of God)
But there's one final, crucial element that seals this armor: prayer. We're called to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" (Ephesians 6:18).
This strategy of prayer can be broken down into three parts:
1. Pre-prayer: Before any encounter or situation
2. In-the-moment prayer: Seeking God's guidance as we interact
3. Post-prayer: Reflecting and giving thanks after each interaction
By implementing this prayer strategy and putting on the full armor of God daily, we equip ourselves to face whatever challenges may come our way.
Reflecting the King: Living Out the Golden Rule
As ambassadors of Christ's kingdom, our conduct should reflect our King in every aspect of life. Whether we're making a phone call, attending a meeting, or simply running errands, we represent Jesus to those around us.
The foundation for how we reflect Christ is found in His Golden Rule: "In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12).
Jesus expands on this principle in Luke 6:31-38, giving us a blueprint for kingdom living:
1. Love others – even those who don't love you back
2. Do good – not just to those who do good to you
3. Be helpful – lend freely without expecting anything in return
4. Be merciful – just as our Father is merciful
5. Don't judge or condemn others
6. Forgive and pardon freely
7. Give generously – "For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you"
These principles flow from the Golden Rule and challenge us to go beyond what comes naturally. It's easy to love those who love us or do good to those who treat us well. But Jesus calls us to a higher standard – one that reflects His own character and the nature of His kingdom.
Living It Out: A Personal Story
Sometimes, reflecting the King starts with something as simple as helping a neighbor. One man shared how he and his wife had just moved into a new neighborhood when they noticed an elderly neighbor struggling with her garbage cans. His wife encouraged him to help, and though the neighbor initially declined, it opened the door for a relationship.
Over time, they continued to assist their neighbor, watching her house and caring for her cat when she was in rehab. When the Holy Spirit prompted the man to send a care package with puzzle books, magazines, and a copy of his testimony, he obeyed. Later, he received a call from the neighbor, thanking him for the package and sharing how his story had touched her, particularly because she had lost her husband in a similar way.
This simple act of kindness and obedience created an opportunity to share the hope of Jesus with someone who needed it.
Breaking Free and Reflecting the King
As we seek to break free from the fear of rejection and truly reflect our King, remember these key points:
1. Trust the Sender: God equips and enables us to share His truth.
2. Face the Fear: Put on the full armor of God and seal it with prayer.
3. Reflect the King: Live out the Golden Rule and its principles in every interaction.
Building relationships and sharing our faith takes time, trust, and God's perfect timing. As Ralph Waldo Emerson wisely said, "What you do speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you say." Our actions often speak louder than our words, so let's ensure that both our words and deeds reflect the King we serve.
By trusting God, facing our fears, and consistently reflecting Christ's love and character, we can make a lasting impact on those around us. We may never know how a simple act of kindness or a word spoken in love might open the door for someone to encounter the King of Kings.
So let's step out in faith, break free from fear, and shine brightly as reflections of our glorious King!
In a world that often feels divided and chaotic, how can we as believers stand firm in our faith and effectively share the love of Christ? Many of us struggle with the fear of rejection, hesitating to speak up or stand out. But what if we could break free from that fear and truly reflect the King we serve?
The Fear That Holds Us Back
Let's be honest – we've all been there. We don't make that phone call, we avoid that awkward conversation, or we stay silent when we should speak up. Why? Because deep down, we're afraid of rejection. We crave acceptance and worry about what others might think of us.
But Jesus addresses this fear head-on in Matthew 10:32-33: "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven." These are powerful words that remind us where our true allegiance should lie.
Throughout Scripture, we see examples of those who faced this fear:
- Saul, who admitted to Samuel, "I was afraid of the people."
- Aaron, who gave in to the Israelites' demands for a golden calf.
- Peter and John, who boldly declared to religious rulers, "Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to Him?"
- Joshua and Caleb, who brought back a good report despite the majority's negative opinion.
The outcomes of these stories teach us a crucial lesson: it is far better to be at odds with people than to be at odds with God.
Preparing for Battle: The Full Armor of God
So how do we face this fear and stand firm in our faith? We need a strategy, and thankfully, God has provided one. In Ephesians 6:10-18, we're given a powerful metaphor: the full armor of God.
This spiritual armor includes:
1. The belt of truth
2. The breastplate of righteousness
3. Feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace
4. The shield of faith
5. The helmet of salvation
6. The sword of the Spirit (the Word of God)
But there's one final, crucial element that seals this armor: prayer. We're called to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" (Ephesians 6:18).
This strategy of prayer can be broken down into three parts:
1. Pre-prayer: Before any encounter or situation
2. In-the-moment prayer: Seeking God's guidance as we interact
3. Post-prayer: Reflecting and giving thanks after each interaction
By implementing this prayer strategy and putting on the full armor of God daily, we equip ourselves to face whatever challenges may come our way.
Reflecting the King: Living Out the Golden Rule
As ambassadors of Christ's kingdom, our conduct should reflect our King in every aspect of life. Whether we're making a phone call, attending a meeting, or simply running errands, we represent Jesus to those around us.
The foundation for how we reflect Christ is found in His Golden Rule: "In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12).
Jesus expands on this principle in Luke 6:31-38, giving us a blueprint for kingdom living:
1. Love others – even those who don't love you back
2. Do good – not just to those who do good to you
3. Be helpful – lend freely without expecting anything in return
4. Be merciful – just as our Father is merciful
5. Don't judge or condemn others
6. Forgive and pardon freely
7. Give generously – "For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you"
These principles flow from the Golden Rule and challenge us to go beyond what comes naturally. It's easy to love those who love us or do good to those who treat us well. But Jesus calls us to a higher standard – one that reflects His own character and the nature of His kingdom.
Living It Out: A Personal Story
Sometimes, reflecting the King starts with something as simple as helping a neighbor. One man shared how he and his wife had just moved into a new neighborhood when they noticed an elderly neighbor struggling with her garbage cans. His wife encouraged him to help, and though the neighbor initially declined, it opened the door for a relationship.
Over time, they continued to assist their neighbor, watching her house and caring for her cat when she was in rehab. When the Holy Spirit prompted the man to send a care package with puzzle books, magazines, and a copy of his testimony, he obeyed. Later, he received a call from the neighbor, thanking him for the package and sharing how his story had touched her, particularly because she had lost her husband in a similar way.
This simple act of kindness and obedience created an opportunity to share the hope of Jesus with someone who needed it.
Breaking Free and Reflecting the King
As we seek to break free from the fear of rejection and truly reflect our King, remember these key points:
1. Trust the Sender: God equips and enables us to share His truth.
2. Face the Fear: Put on the full armor of God and seal it with prayer.
3. Reflect the King: Live out the Golden Rule and its principles in every interaction.
Building relationships and sharing our faith takes time, trust, and God's perfect timing. As Ralph Waldo Emerson wisely said, "What you do speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you say." Our actions often speak louder than our words, so let's ensure that both our words and deeds reflect the King we serve.
By trusting God, facing our fears, and consistently reflecting Christ's love and character, we can make a lasting impact on those around us. We may never know how a simple act of kindness or a word spoken in love might open the door for someone to encounter the King of Kings.
So let's step out in faith, break free from fear, and shine brightly as reflections of our glorious King!
HOPE Blog ... Pastor Bob DeFelice
Sometimes random - sometimes not - some things I think - measured against scripture.
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
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