Fearless

John 14:27 (NIV)

Do not be afraid

Fear is a debilitating feeling and emotion that paralyzes an individual. The physical and psychosomatic symptoms of fear may vary depending on the individual and the cause of the fear. But there's a general feeling of dread and impending gloom and extreme weakness in the limbs and body.

When a man breaks the law, there's a sense of guilt, fear, punishment, and judgment. Even among those like Satan, whose consciences are dead (1 Timothy 4:2), there's a sense of impending disaster (Matthew 25:41). When a man looks at a married woman lustfully, he knows he did something wrong. No amount of self-justification will dispel that uneasy feeling that he did something wrong. When a child lies, they're afraid that they did something wrong. A man who shoplifts will try and hide that which he has stolen before even considering using it. Fear leads to an elevated pulse, excessive sweating, dry throat, difficulty swallowing, and a general sense of dread and guilt.

It is to red-handed rebels and lawbreakers such as us that Christ speaks those words "do not be afraid." In Christ, God has forgiven our lawlessness, transgressions, and sins.

Evangelical preaching has to hammer home the guilt, lawlessness, and sin before that soul can appreciate and be relieved by the grace of God in Christ Jesus.