Insulting Our Lord

For God did not give a spirit of fearfulness to us, but of power and of love and of self-control.   2 Timothy 1:7

Fearfulness – What is the difference between cowardice and fear?  If we want to understand what Paul really has in mind in this statement to Timothy, we must be able to answer this question.  You see, the word deilia, is not the usual word for fear.  The usual word for fear is phobos.  We have many words that describe phobias, fear of flying, fear of small places, fear of heights.  These are all based on the Greek phobos.  But in this verse, Paul uses another word.  What Paul has in mind is not fear but cowardice.  Why?  Because fear is not always bad.  Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Fear of punishment deters sin.  Fear of the king makes me obedient.  Some fear is good.  Some fear actually protects me.  God gives me some kinds of fear because some kinds of fear help shape my character.

But cowardice does not belong in the kingdom.  God never gives me the emotionally debilitating experience of cowardice.  A coward is someone who shrinks from the circumstances because he does not understand the sovereignty of God.  A coward feels helpless, weak and defeated.  A coward does not really believe that God is good.

The difference between fear and cowardice changes everything.  Hebrews 4:16 tells me to come boldly before the sovereign Lord of the universe.  I am invited to share every thought and concern with Him.  Why?  Because Jesus has opened the door to the holy throne room.  If I act as a coward, I void the death and resurrection of Jesus.  My act of cowardice shouts to the heavens, “I don’t believe God cares for me.”  Cowardice insults  God.

Does that mean I throw caution to the wind, race into every battle, deliberately expose myself to danger?  Does my freedom to stand before the Lord mean I act like Superman?  Of course not!  God has no obligation to protect me from foolishness.  But He is insulted when I turn in disbelief from His provision.  Courage is walking in the Way in spite of the circumstances of life.  Courage is trusting that God is good.  Cowardice in the face of the path God gives me is nothing more than sinful disobedience.

You and I will be challenged to follow the Master into circumstances that seem impossibly difficult.  We may even be afraid.  But if we believe that Jesus rescued us for the Father’s purposes, we must never shrink from the path He treads.  He holds out His hand and says, “Come with me.”  Grasp it!  And go forward.