Beating Fear of Death & Punishment

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” -Romans 5:8-10

How do you defeat fear of death and God’s punishment? We start by thinking about how spiritually rebellious, lawless, and hopeless we were before Jesus intervened. We were loved while we were in our sins (v.8), not just after we were forgiven and cleaned up. When we were at our worst, God’s love was at it’s best!

Jesus gave His life so you could be forgiven and reconciled to the Father. If God did all that for us while we were in our sin, how much more (v.10) will He save us eternally! You don’t need to fear death when you are in Christ because while you lived He was loving toward you despite your sin. How much more will He be there to save and help you now that you are for Him and not against Him?

If we have been saved, how do we then walk in that assurance instead of living under the fear of God’s punishment? We trust in the authority of God’s written Word. He tells us clearly what He thinks about us and what is required to be saved. He is not trying to confuse us. We also can see the fruit of a changed life through self-examination. We are told that if we love Him, we will obey Him. Are you obeying Him and walking in His love and Spirit? We are still a work in progress, but we are no longer who we used to be because of Jesus! The Holy Spirit inside us also brings assurance and peace in His presence.

Our feelings can deceive us and fear is a powerful feeling. Living in fear of death and God’s punishment is a struggle that steals your peace and robs you of being fully present in the moment. Consider the depth of God’s love for you when you were on the outside and now you have been brought inside the family of God (John 1:12-13). How much more will we be saved now that we are apart of God’s family! Consider the power of that kind of everlasting love! God’s love drives away fear (1 John 4:18), so focus on His perfect love for you and chase those fears out of your mind!

Right on?

Read/listen to Romans chapters 3-5

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