Are You So Safe You Can’t Move?
There are a lot of people talking about safety these days. In fact, the media bombards us with messages about safety all the time. It seems like we live in a constant state of being told “the next thing to fear.”
Even in Christian circles, people talk a lot about being “safe.” Safe from sin, safe from false doctrine, safe from the worldly habits etc. In fact, there is almost a “culture of safety” that permeates many churches which promotes never doing anything “risky” at all.
The danger of safety
The danger of safety is that, when we focus too much on being safe, we cannot move. If we refuse to obey God’s still small voice then we are essentially “bound by the Devil”. Is being safe in “this” world really the goal of God? What type of safety are we talking about here? Is safety the absence of all danger? Or do we really believe that we should, “pick up your cross and follow after Jesus?”
There is nothing “safe” about being a Christian. In fact, only one of the 12 apostles died a natural death. Everyone else, including the apostle Paul, faced martyrdom. The truth is that anyone who obeys God fully is not safe in this world.
Paul says,
‘Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
2 Timothy 3:12
Therefore, safety is not the norm for Christians. In fact, if there is no persecution of any kind in your life it is questionable if you are living for God at all.
Paul also says,
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
Romans 12:18
Though we don’t go looking for a fight, if we live godly in Christ Jesus, the fight will come to us. When the world wants us to go along to get along we simply won’t if their way is not God’s way. Therefore, it should not be surprising when we sometimes have to fight for our very lives.
The only true safety we have is in God. That safety is our salvation. We have been graciously saved from a fate literally worse than death. Everything else is small potatoes compared to that.
Avoid the danger of safety
Avoid the danger of safety by being willing, at anytime, anyplace, or with anyone, to obey God rather than man, no matter if it is safe to do so or not. In that way you will be counted worthy to be called a Christian.
I agree the spirit of fear is rife. Creeps in small ways, which soon like ivy takes over! We should and must reject fear wherever we recognise it I think.
It is also true shouldn’t go looking for a fight, but if a fight comes looking for you, make sure you stand firm. The fight can be many things.
Dear Kingdomsheir,
There is so much negative in the world it is hard to not fear sometimes. I really don’t know what people do who are not acquainted with Jesus. That would really be depressing. I like knowing that, whatever happens here, it ultimately will all be OK!
What I want to do is connect with my brothers and sister now while we have the freedom to do so without difficulty. I need to link with their spirits and with our Lord in a much deeper way so that I can stand strong with them and do mighty exploits.
That is my heart.
God bless,
Michael