From Slaves to Sons; From Fear to Power

"Trinity!"

If I heard my name yelled like that, there are many different ways I may react depending on whose voice it is and the undertone of emotion in it.

Imagine you were a slave or servant in a house and heard your master yelling your name in anger or annoyance. How would you react? Most likely in some level of fear, apprehension, or nervousness. You would dread even finding out the reason behind it. Now, imagine it was your parent or parent-figure that yelled your name. If it was my dad calling from downstairs in the living room while I was upstairs in my room, I'd think he probably wanted me to come change the TV channel for him. If it was my mum, maybe she needs some help in the kitchen or it's time for me to finally taste the delicious storm she had been cooking up. Even if I detected an undertone of anger in their voice, I'd be nervous, probably knowing I had done something wrong, but also eager to make things right.

In Deuteronomy chapter 5, Moses recounts when God established His law and covenant with the children of Israel at Mt Sinai. Verses 4-5 read,

"The Lord spoke with you face to face at the mountain, out of the midst of the fire, while I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the Lord. For you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up into the mountain..."

God desired to speak face to face with them, but they shrank back in fear, sending Moses instead to be their mediator, and missing out on an opportunity for a new level of intimacy with God.

When I read this verse, in some ways, I saw myself in them. I know I have certainly shrunk back from invitations God has extended to me to draw near to Him. One of these I realized only a few days ago: I had been scared of the supernatural. Not because I didn't believe that we have received such power from the Holy Spirit, but because it felt a bit too much for me.

I have been meditating a lot on 2 Timothy 1:7,

"for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Romans 8:15 tells us more about this spirit we have received,

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” "

We are sons. We are daughters of the Living God. We are called to fear God, but that does not mean we should be afraid of Him. The fear of God that is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) is a reverence for Him, awe and humility before His power and majesty, and obedience and submission to Him. To be afraid of God, however, is to deny Him as our loving Father. 1 John 4:18 says,

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."

So, maybe you have not been perfected in love, go to your Father and tell Him to reveal His love to you, to give you a deep and experential understanding of who He is and His love for you.

The Lord is reaching out to you today, asking you to come closer, maybe by surrendering a particular area, or exploring a new aspect of your relationship with Him. Do not shrink back.

Peace and love of Christ be with you!