SALVATION'S REMEDY FOR FEAR AND BONDAGE

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Heb 2:14-15). "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom 8:15).

Devotion 18 of 18

CONCLUSION

This series of devotions has sought to establish that Jesus has delivered men from fear that leads to bondage. As it is written, "Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Heb 2:14-15, NKJV). The "fear of death" is not merely the fear of dying, although such a fear is very much a reality. This "fear of death" is produced by the Law, which holds the bludgeon of death over the one who fails to flawlessly keep its demands. It shouts, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them" (Gal 3:19, NKJV).

People needed deliverance because such fear brought them into bondage. Motivated by the Law, they did not obey God out of preference and love, but tried to obey Him to avoid being cursed. The result of such efforts is enslavement to sin. This takes place because "the fear of death" will not allow the person to come into the presence of the Lord. It compels the person to depend upon his own strength, because he is afraid to come into God's presence. This is seen in Adam and Eve, who first made "aprons" to cover their nakedness. Their covering was the work of their own hands, and was not acceptable. They needed provision from God to be acceptable, and to come before Him as well.

Jesus accomplished what was essential to bring us freedom. First, Satan had to be "destroyed," or rendered powerless to keep men from God. Second, men had to be released from bondage to sin and death. This release could only be effected by taking away the sin of the world, and plundering the principalities and powers that ruled over them. Having accomplished this in His death, the Lord Jesus returned to heaven to administer this great salvation. He thereby is ensuring the safe arrival in glory of all who receive the reconciliation.

One of the great transgressions of our time is the minimization of Christ and His glorious accomplishments by the professed church. Out of ignorance, men have frequently chosen to be governed by Law, instead of being taught by grace. The inevitable result of this is fear–the type of fear that keeps people at a distance from God. That distance is confirmed by the lack of assurance, even in those who have a "little faith." They cannot live confidently while they remain aloof from the Lord, and therefore fail to appropriate mercy and find grace to help in the time of need. Their reliance, because they are not close to the Lord, is upon procedures, creeds, and historical positions. They live by routine instead of by faith. They do not rejoice in hope of the glory of God, and do not know they are "more than conquerors" through Christ who loved them.

There is such a thing as the "riches of the full assurance of understanding" (Col 2:2)–understanding that yields a bold confidence before the Lord. Those in Christ have access to the "full assurance of hope" and the "full assurance of faith" (Heb 6:11; 10:22)–living with an assurance of the inheritance that awaits them in glory. They can "know" they "have eternal life" (1 John 5:13), and can be "persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 8:38-39). Liberation from the fear of death brings these blessings within the reach of all believers.

The "fear of death" can motivate men, but it cannot invest them with confidence and power. The "love of Christ," when it is perceived, is a far greater motivation, enabling the trembling soul to come before the Lord expectantly. Thus is it written, "For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again" (1 Cor 5:14-15). When we are convinced of Christ's love for us, as confirmed by His death and resurrection, we are also convinced that in Him we die to alienating influences and the condemning law. Neither sin nor death can any longer keep us from coming to the Lord with "with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" (Heb 10:22). It is in this "coming" that sin loses its dominion, and we begin to live righteously.

I urge you to capitalize on the Gospel of Christ–to make it your aim "to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Eph 3:18-19).

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me the grace to see Jesus and His love more clearly, and to be convinced I am received in Him.

– Tomorrow: New Series, FRIENDS VERSUS SERVANTS –