For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7
The bill for our car insurance arrived in the mail last month and with the number of miles we are traveling across the country to attend preaching meetings and missions conferences, this is one bill we want to be sure will be paid on time. Whether you're in good hands with AllState or you're saving 15% by switching to GEICO, there is a certain comfort in knowing that you have insurance on your car. Should an accident occur which results in injury or damage to the vehicle, it is a relief to know that most of the expenses related to the accident are covered by an insurance policy which provides for repairs and medical costs.
Having this security does not give us license to to become reckless in our driving or to be ignorant of the law, but it does gives us a comfort in knowing that if an accident does occur, we'll be covered.
This is an analogy which we can also apply in our Christian lives. Instead of an insurance policy, we have an "assurance promise". As our Lord began to reveal to His disciples that He would have to die and leave them after He was resurrected from the grave, He promised that He would send a Comforter. "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me" (John 15:26). This Comforter is not some warm and fuzzy influence or the product of positive thinking, nor anything that man could produce. The Comforter is the Holy Spirit: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name…" (John 14:26). This Comforter, the Holy Ghost, is the third entity of the Holy Trinity that makes up the eternal Godhead, equally God as the Father and the Son. This is Who our Lord sent back to earth for those that are His. He did so in order for the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and teach us: "…he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit was sent to comfort us while we wait and work and live for the Lord. In many ways not unlike the comfort of having insurance on our vehicles, the assurance of the Holy Spirit of God gives us the comfort we need to move forward doing what is right in the eyes of our Lord, even when the task or challenge is difficult. No matter what events or incidents may occur in this life, the Comforter gives us the assurance and peace of mind to live without fear of what lies ahead.
It is this Comforter that enables us to live and work in Control. As mentioned in our introduction, automobile insurance does not give anyone the right to drive carelessly or in ignorance of the law, nor does it grant one the freedom to drive with reckless abandon. The Comforter extends to us the control and discipline needed to live Godly lives and to drive safely with purpose and direction. The Holy Spirit gives us an avenue to experience the joy of knowing God who is present in every day of our lives.
The Lord provided mankind salvation through His death, burial and resurrection and sent the Comforter so that we would be able to Continue. Is this not the very basis of our reason for existing in this world? Just as having automobile insurance allows a driver to legally operate their vehicle on the road, the Holy Spirit allows the body of Christ to continue its travels on the highway of life toward its heavenly destination.
As we review the events of the day and glance at the headlines, we are stunned at the increase in school shootings, typhoons, earthquakes, tornados, terrorist attacks, morality failures, suicides, parental abuse, hypocrisies in the pulpit, etc. which, sadly, are more prevalent than ever. Imagine living in the world as we do today besieged with such news of sadness and tragedy without any comfort, with NO HOPE. How tragic it would be to live in this world overwhelmed by sorrow, despair and fear without a Comforter and feeling hopelessly out of control. Our desire to continue under these grave circumstances would be diminished.
God hath not given us the spirit of fear but He has given us a Comforter, the Holy Spirit, Who directs our level of control enabling us to continue on. Knowing that should some incident or event suddenly occur, such as Christ's imminent return, all will be well. That is living a life in the assurance of salvation. That, my friend, is comforting and as an added bonus, I do not receive a bill! It was paid in full on the cross of Calvary.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7
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