stephen R Harrison

(Read Philippians 1:28a)

I have a friend who isn’t afraid of anything.  He’s jumped out of perfectly good airplanes that weren’t crashing and even bragged about when he wrestled an alligator he jumped on from his boat when fishing in the bayou.  Perhaps he sees himself as fearless.  Some would perceive him as insane.  When I hear about something crazy he’s done, I think, “That’s Bob (not his real name).”

When Paul writes to the Philippians not to be frightened or terrified by their adversaries (1:28), I’m not sure he had daredevil stunts or reckless living in mind.  There’s a difference between living recklessly and being fearless.  Recklessness disregards wisdom, while fearlessness embraces it.  Some would ask, “How is abandoning everything to live out the gospel not reckless?” Proverbs 11:30 says, “He who wins souls is wise.” Hebrews 11 shows us that many lost everything for the sake of living with eternity at the forefront.  Paul encouraged the Philippians to conduct their lives in a way that trusted God more than they feared man.  

The word for frightened Paul uses here, which is the only instance in the New Testament, means serious and fearful concern. Paul was in prison while writing this letter to the Philippians.  They, too, could have been beaten, imprisoned, and even died for living for and promoting Christ.  They could have even faced lesser opposition, such as disowned by family, loss of work, and ridicule.  Paul reminded the Philippians that facing persecution would signify their opponent’s destruction and their salvation by God.  

We should live fearlessly for Christ, disregarding what others may think and even do to us for following Jesus as eternal salvation is our reward. We should not live recklessly like the world that disregards Christ. Their payment for sin is death, eternally separated from Jesus.  Remember, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Questions for the Head (Think)

• Are you living life recklessly (apart from Christ) or fearlessly (united with Christ)?

Reflection for the Heart (Worship)

• Take a moment to reflect on what it means to live for Christ fearlessly.  Praise Him for why this is possible.

Action for the Hands (Do)

• Where have you been more concerned about others’ opinions than God’s?  What must you do to convey to the Lord and those around you (friends, family, opponents, etc.) that your ambition and actions are to live fearlessly for God?