“We can serve God without fear…”
What does your picture of fearless look like?
Skydiving? Facing a grizzly in the wild? Facing the grizzly at the office? Standing in front of 1000s to give a presentation?
What would you accomplish if you were fearless?
When serving God, fear often drives us to need assurance. The very thing Zechariah required in the first part of the Hidden Treasure series. While we don’t know whether Zechariah’s need for assurance was brought on by fear, we know his need for assurance brought on a sign that left him silent for nine months.
Nine months is a long time to ponder the multiple different responses Zechariah could have had that day when the angel appeared bearing a message from the Almighty God. Two hundred and seventy days to reflect on what the angel said, observe his wife’s pregnancy, and how everything transpired as God had said. Zechariah’s son was born, still unable to speak; he had to clarify with pen and parchment that their son’s name was indeed to be called John. With a stroke of the pen, Zechariah’s voice was restored. (Luke 1:62-64)
The first words to roll off his lips were praise and prophecy. Walk for a moment in Zechariah’s sandals.
Think through the depth of these prophetic words spoken by someone who had been silenced for several months because of his need for assurance. The words may have been prophetic, but they were also deeply personal.
“We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.” (Luke 1:74-75 NLT, bold added for emphasis)
Having experienced the hand of God, Zechariah’s soul undoubtedly would have connected to the gift the Messiah would bring of a new fearless mindset when it came to serving God. But there is a second piece to serving God that Zechariah must have also inwardly rejoiced over. Because of Christ, he could serve God in holiness and righteousness for as long as he lived. Zechariah would no longer have to rely on his ability to offer sacrifices of right doing. His righteousness would come through the Messiah.
“To enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” (Luke 1:74-75 NIV)
These prophetic words were good news for all. Consider how the enemy can entrap us with fear. What if we fail? Where will the resources come from? How will this all happen? I am incapable. Someone else would be better.
The enemy is relentless at keeping us stuck in the past, in the unknown, and in the belief that we are not the daughter or son, God sees us to be.
What does serving God without fear mean for us?
Serving Fearless
In John’s first letter to the churches, he unfolded for us how Christ would impact our ability to serve without fear.
This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world, we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4: 13-19, NIV)
- We can serve God fearlessly because we have the gift of the Holy Spirit, who provides the power of Christ in us to be able to carry out what He has asked us to do. (Verse 13-14)
- We can serve God fearlessly because Christ took our punishment. Grace covers our shortcomings and keeps them from being used against us. (Verses 17-18)
- We can serve God fearlessly because perfect love will work within us and drive out our fear. (Verse 18)
- We can serve God fearlessly because God first loved us. Our success is not dependent upon our ability but on His initiation of love toward us. (Verse 19)
Imagine a world where we heard from God, responded with faith first, knew we were blessed, and there was no room for fear.
This is the season we celebrate Christ coming into our world to transform our world so we can unwrap the gift of Himself, who has given us these gifts of assurance, faith, blessing, and fearless.
The treasure of Christmas is not meant to be hidden, but to be received and lived.
I pray you boldly step into a fearless life, surrendering every obstacle that tries to hold you back. May your life exemplify the hidden treasures of Luke chapter 1. Because of Christ, you walk with assurance, in faith, blessed, and without fear. In Jesus’ name, so be it.
Meditate: Because of Christ, I am fearless.
Reflect: What lies might the enemy be feeding you that causes you to hold back? From Zechariah’s prophecy, what were other results the Messiah would bring besides being fearless? (Luke 1:68-79) What hidden treasure do you need to unwrap most – Assurance? Faith? Blessed? Fearless? How can these treasures serve you well in the coming months? Year?
Deeper: Luke 1:57-80; Ephesians 6:19-20; Hebrews 10:35-39
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(Bible References: NLT – New Living Translation, NIV – New International Version)
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