If I've told you once...

God doesn't tend to repeat Himself without a reason. So when something comes up again, it's an unmistakable signal to straighten up and fly right, no?

So, what command does He repeat most?

"Do not be afraid."

The reason?

"I am with you."

But friends, this is not a few sentences He left for us to needlepoint on pillows to give us warm fuzzy feelings whenever we look at them (though I have nothing against needlepoint, and neither does God).

No, this is a COMMAND. Not an option. Fear is actually sin. Thus, fear, as sin, must be resisted to the point of bloodshed.

In a very good book called Following Jesus by Bible scholar N.T. Wright, the author writes, "Fear is the air we breathe." And he's right. I can trace almost all my sin to either fear or pride, which I'm beginning to suspect are two sides of the same coin.

Don't say that. They'll laugh at you.

Don't try that. You might fail.

What if I get hurt? What if nobody cares? What if it is all for nothing?

Fear. Living in fear is like breathing carbon monoxide. We're not meant for it, but it's so pervasive we don't notice it. And after a while, it kills us.

But.

"I am with you."

He is, as Wright points out, "the God who raises the dead." THE GOD WHO RAISES THE DEAD!!! So, if we truly believe in the doctrine of the Resurrection, we know that it's all going to be alright. And unbelievably, He is with us!

Friends, there is nothing to be afraid of. NOTHING to be afraid of. It won't be easy. But it's sin to fear. Let's fight for pure air to fill our fear-poisoned lungs. Because the battle's won. This is all just a little mop-up skirmish. They can't touch us. It's all going to be alright.

Deep breath.
Ready?
Go.