Should Christians fear? Or should they not fear?

In our passage for last Sunday’s sermon, Paul and Barnabas show great boldness in the face of fearful circumstances. Paul tells the young believers “It is necessary for us to enter the kingdom of God through many tribulations” (Acts 14:22). That is, don’t fear such tribulations; they are the passageway to an eternity with our loving God. Similarly, Jesus says that we will always have such tribulations in the world. “But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Because He is sovereign over all that happens, we can have peace in Him even now, even when we face frightening circumstances. For we know that God is working all things together for good for those who love Him, for those whom He has called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). When nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God, then we need not fear even those who are putting us to death (Romans 8:35-39).

Consider the story of the storm on the Sea of Galilee, told in Mark 4:35-41. While out on the lake, a great windstorm arises – so great that the waves are breaking over the sides of the boat. Though the disciples bail and bail, the water in the boat rises higher and higher. It looks certain to sink in a few minutes. And the wind continues to howl; the waves continue to pound.

But all the while Jesus sleeps in the stern! I can see Peter and John and James bailing furiously, and looking with disgust at their Master – just sleeping away.

So they wake Him. They are deathly afraid. And they are now convinced that Jesus doesn’t even care about them. They ask, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” “Do our lives mean nothing to you?”

Jesus calms the wind and the waves with a word. Then he rebukes his fearful disciples: “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Since the word translated “afraid” always has negative connotations, it is perhaps preferable to translate this phrase, “Why are you so cowardly?” (the same word is rendered “cowardly” in Revelation 21:8).

Note that Jesus links cowardice to faithlessness. A lack of faith leads to cowardice. If we believe, we will not be cowardly, we will not fear.

What should the disciples have believed? That Jesus cared for them. That He loved them. That He could not perish in this storm, because of who they knew Him to be. That He had chosen them for a purpose, and they could not perish until that purpose was fulfilled. That He was mighty and powerful.

Do they learn their lesson? Yes – but perhaps not in the way you would expect. Note carefully how the disciples react to Jesus’ rebuking the wind: “They were filled with a great fear.” Didn’t Jesus just rebuke them for being fearful?

No. He rebuked them for being cowardly, for being fearful about their circumstances. He rebuked them for not believing in Him, for not trusting God.

This second fear is a good and right fear, as taught in Scripture.

• “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).
• “This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2).

And this right attitude towards God continues even in the eternal state, when we are without sin. Revelation 15 tells us that this song is sung by redeemed humanity:

“Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed” (Revelation 15:3-4).

God’s perfect holiness, His purity, His hatred of sin, together with His mighty power to execute justice, lead to this right and proper fear. These redeemed saints do not fear His judgments on themselves – for they have drawn near to God with true hearts in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22). But they are overwhelmed and overawed by HIM.

This is the right reaction of the disciples in the boat. Jesus in effect has told them, “Don’t be cowardly – fear!” And, like the wind and the waves, they obey Him. They fear Him. They do not fear that Jesus might harm them. Quite the contrary – they now feel much safer than before. Their confidence in Jesus’ love and care has increased. But they see how different Jesus is from them – how mighty, how powerful, how authoritative. They had been acting towards Him as if He were just another member of the crew; but He is Other! He is holy! He is God!

Do you know this overwhelming, all-powerful Christ? Do you love Him?

• If not – our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). Fear His judgment – and turn to Him, begging His mercy. A broken and contrite heart He will not despise (Psalm 51:17).
• If so, you need never fear circumstances, no matter the apparent danger. You need never fear an economic collapse. You need never fear the loss of a job. You need never fear an illness or disease. You need never fear failure. You need never fear opposition. You need never fear Satan. Jesus speaks – and the winds are stilled. He commands – and the sea is calm. He will do the same for whatever danger faces you – if that will be for your good and His glory. Don’t fear circumstances.

But do fear Him! Bow before His perfect power, His perfect justice, His perfect wisdom, and His perfect righteousness. Stand amazed at His gracious love! Be overwhelmed by His holiness! Then “serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:11).