Notice
You Can Be Free From Fear of the Future
How can I be free from fear concerning my future?
Numerous people worry about the future. The reason for their worry is their fear of the unknown and their inability to control their fate. Jesus wants to eliminate such fear. He proclaims peace to his followers when he says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).
Fear is a terrible thing. Often it does more than control life, it destroys life; it robs individuals of peace, and it hinders their ability to trust God. Fear destroys life, but Jesus gives it. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10).
How would you respond to the question "What is your greatest fear?" Many have responded with the word, "Death." However, I really do not believe it is death itself that they fear, but what happens after death. Their minds are full of questions such as, What will happen to me? Where will I go? Did I do what was needed when I was still alive? Will I face the judgment of Almighty God? Is God really merciful?
The unknown future can cripple the soul in its search for truth. Is that your condition? Please know that Jesus the Messiah wants to help us walk with Him so that we can have assurance about the future. Jesus said,
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
Jesus wants to carry all of our burdens. That includes the burden of what our future will be.
Jesus the Messiah is the source of assurance for the future. We know He has the power to grant eternal life. Jesus said,
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:27-28).
Why is Jesus the Messiah able to do this? Simply stated, Jesus did everything that needed to be done to provide for us eternal salvation. He was our substitute. He offered himself as the target for God’s wrath. Jesus’ blood that was shed on the Cross was sufficient payment for the penalty of mankind’s sinfulness.
Many refuse to acknowledge that Jesus needed to die, but the Gospel Scriptures say, "it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life" (Leviticus 17:11) and … Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God (1 Peter 3:18).
Those who have accepted Jesus the Messiah as the sacrifice given on their behalf need not fear the judgment that will come on those who have rejected the only means of eternal salvation.
How do we receive this assurance? The Gospel Scriptures state:
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 5:1).
The only way to have peace about the future is to have faith in Jesus the Messiah. The reason so many struggle in their search for assurance is that they refuse to accept what Jesus has done for them by faith. Do you have faith in Jesus the Messiah?
Perhaps you will pray the following prayer:
“Jesus, I receive by faith what your substitutional death accomplished for me. You died and you rose from the dead so that I might live forever with you. I thank you that through faith in you alone I can have peace and assurance about my future.” Amen!
