In his first inaugural address, on March 4, 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt made a statement that is often quoted today.  He said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  Of course his statement had a historical context: The Great Depression (1929-1939) and the ominous Second War of the World (1939-1945).  While the President’s comments were a spark of hope in the hearts of many who suffered through those days, they obviously were not intended to be applied equally to every aspect of life.

   Fear is a natural human emotion, and biblically speaking, there is a time to fear, or perhaps I should say a mental and spiritual state in which fear is a great motivator to flee to God.  The second verse of Amazing Grace (an old and beloved hymn) makes reference to the grace that produces this necessary fear, and, its subsequent relief.  “’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear, The hour I first believed.”  So, you might ask, When should I fear, and when should my fears be dispelled?  …and what is this power that is able to dispel fear?

  Simply stated, you should fear a life without God, infected by sin and unbelief.  “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12)”  Why fear?  Because God is holy and just, and must condemn sin and unbelief.  “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries . . . It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (vv. 10:26-27, 31)”

  But that same God, because of His great love, is also the means of dispelling all fear.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)”  God’s love for you, and yours for Him, will dispel all fear.  “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear…” and “We love him, because he first loved us. (1John 4:18a, 19)”

  The word faith is generally pretty close to the top in most people’s vocabulary, but its shades of meaning vary from one conversation to another.  Sometimes faith is used with reference to the tag or label that is ascribed to one’s religion. (e.g. Baptist, Catholic, Mormon, etc.)  But more often, faith is a synonym for trust, confidence, or dependence.  e.g. “I built this bridge and I have faith that it will support my weight.  Just watch, and I’ll prove it!”

  Unfortunately the meaning of faith, as it relates to the Bible and our relationship to God, has been reduced to an oversimplified belief—a mental assent to a historical fact.  The change in meaning was probably fostered by over zealous evangelists in their efforts to convert the masses,  This is extremely unfortunate because the Bible tells us that everything God wants to do for us requires more than a simple belief.  God’s provision and blessing are contingent upon our proper understanding of faith.  “…without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)”  The Bible word “believe” in this verse is stronger than our English word; it means to trust in, place dependence upon.

  A relationship with God begins only after a man understands that he has offended a Holy God, and is condemned by His Justice.  Salvation occurs the moment that a repentant sinner exercises a sincere confidence in, and dependence upon, Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin.  It is possible because Jesus purchased his forgiveness when He died, was buried, and rose from the dead to satisfy God’s justice on the sinner’s behalf.

  Faith unto salvation is only the beginning.  The Bible is filled with promises and provisions that are realized by that same dependence upon the Almighty.  The object of our faith is always God; the substance of our faith is only what He has said.  If you would have faith in God, you will need to understand that, “… faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)”  Very simply, if you don’t read the Bible, you won’t know what to trust Him for.