Overcome Fear-Based Decisions

“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” -John 19:10-12

Pilate operated in the power of people. He was given power by Rome to govern and maintain order. He told Jesus he had power to free or crucify. Pilate ultimately capitulated to the will of the people in fear of their power. He knew they could inform Rome if he released someone that was a threat to their power. He was completely caught up in making decisions not based on what he wanted to do, but out of the fear of the power of people. You can see it so clearly when Pilate wanted to and tried to free Jesus (v.12), but was too fearful of what the people could do to him.

Jesus, on the other hand was in the room with someone who had the power to put people to death or free them and Pilate threatened the use of that power. However, Jesus knew where real authority was and that the only power anyone has is what God allows them to have. God can intervene at any moment and remove that power from them. However, if He chooses not to, the worst that someone can do is to kill the flesh. Our souls are secure in Jesus as we place our faith and lives in His hands! Even when people do their worst, God can bring good out of the bad for His glory as He did by bringing salvation through the crucifixion of Jesus!

Don’t fear people. Live in the fear of God… a reverent awe of His authority and power! Make decisions today not driven by fear of what others might think, say, or do, but instead live to please God! When you make decisions based in fear, you don’t make good decisions. The best decisions are made when you make them to please God out of fear and respect for His authority and with an awareness of His immense love for you! The Father could have pulled Jesus out of that situation and Jesus could have removed Himself, but God willingly chose this painful path because of how much He loves you! You don’t have to live in fear of worst-case scenarios! You can trust Him with your life because Jesus gave His life for you!

Right on?

Read/listen to John chapters 19-21

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