Fearless

(Heb 2:15 KJV)  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

(Proverbs 21 also read)

If I were a teenager reading this verse I would possibly just keep reading.  The same could be said as I moved into adulthood.  Not so much now that I am in my 70's.  Suddenly this is a reminder that I need to internalize and apply daily.

Part of it is an awareness of being old and all that involves.  I can choose to live in fear of the cough next to me.  I can wonder about each ache and pain I feel.  I can be willing to spend the inheritance of my grandchildren on a medical procedure that is iffy at best, all because of a “fear” (5401) of “death” (2288).  I might suppress it and deny it but if it stifles my joy of living then I am living in fear.  I am “subject” (1777) to “bondage” (slavery NASB) (1397).

It can also effect the way I look at my world.  Am I afraid to go out?  Do I avoid the mall because of fear?  Do I look with suspicion at people around me?  Do I dread the evening news?  There are so many forms that this can express itself in.

So?  Jesus has removed the fear of death, or He should have.  Actually, it isn’t a question of whether He removed the reason as much as our reluctance to embrace that deliverance and apply it to our daily lives.  They say that the only two things that are certain are death and taxes.  Death is not an issue and if we are poor enough taxes have a limited bite also.  Rejoice.