From Fear to Love

By Albert Lawrence*

"Get out of our country!" Ali and I had gone into one particular subdivision many times in order to teach an interested family the doctrines of the Bible. One night after the Bible study, a group of unknown men surrounded us and demanded to see papers that proved we were allowed to be there. We had no such proof, but after a few minutes of angry shouting, they left, warning us never to return. Shaken, Ali and I left the subdivision.

Before we reached our house, another man ran up and begged us not to pay any attention to the threats. He wanted us to return as often as we desired to bring the good news of Jesus to them. Ali and I were amazed at this open invitation. We went back many times and nothing ever came of the other men's threats.

The Symptoms

When we fear, we diminish God's power, suggesting that He cannot reach even the most resistant people. Fear can lead to hatred and to shame, preventing us from accomplishing the work and the love of God (2 Tim 1:7). Jesus warned His disciples not to be afraid. The Bible teaches us that God brought us out of hatred and fear by His Son of Love.

If Ali and I had allowed those Muslims to intimidate us to the point that we did not return to the people needing the gospel, we would have allowed the enemy of God free reign. Discretion in evangelism is wise, but must be balanced with faith so that fear does not limit our ability to present the gospel.

A Spreading Disease

Recently, I spoke to a conference of 50 pastors who could have said, "We have a right to be fearful of Muslims." Many of them had family or friends who had been killed or terrorized by Muslims in past years. The pastors admitted that they were afraid to take the gospel to the Muslims. Could nothing be done to stop this growing cancer of fear among the very leaders of churches?

The Lord gave His grace at that conference and the men were convicted of their lack of love for their own neighbors-the Muslims. By the end of the meetings, they were discussing how they could reach the population of Muslims on the island nearest to them. I went away rejoicing to see the Lord work among His people.

Spiritual Treatment

"Perfect love casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18 ). The path to love the Muslim and eradicate fear begins with prayer. Praying for the lost of the world draws on the ample supply of God's love. However, we must not be satisfied merely to pray-we must also act in God's power. God desires us to take His love to the people we have encompassed in prayer: "Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44 ).

A Final Check-Up

An understanding of God's sovereignty is the key to dispelling fear from God's church so that we might pursue evangelism and discipleship. Love is the mechanism that makes evangelism work. If we want to know the love of God, then we must follow Christ: He loved those who hated Him. Nor did He shrink from the ultimate demand of those who hated Him: "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Without Christ's crucifixion, we would not know what it means to love to the fullest degree: "and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16 ). Love leads us to the ends of the earth with the gospel that dispels fear and hatred.

*All names have been changed.