roosevelt

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933):

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified, terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.

While most are familiar with this quote, and many can quote a portion of it (very similar to certain portions of scripture), not many read, know, or fully comprehend the whole statement. Notice that according to Roosevelt, “fear” works to paralyze efforts to convert retreat into advance. In that day, the USA was slipping into isolationism (along with Great Britain), drawing back from the impending conflicts and certain trouble that was brewing in Asia and Europe. In essence, many Americans were blindly acting as if nothing was awry. How often does fear creep into the lives of God’s people, even faithful believers, crippling advancement and ultimately leading to retreat and/or even defeat?

In the Scriptures, one primarily finds 3 Greek words translated as “fear” in our English New Testaments. Amazingly, 3 Hebrew words are used in the Old Testament as well, the most common being the word, yare’ – meaning the psychological reaction of being afraid of something or someone. Turning to the New Testament, one of the Greek words phobos (noun), phoberos (adjective), and phobeo (verb), from which derives the English word “phobia” (meaning irrational fear), is obviously the most familiar. However, the original meaning of this word is not fear, but “flight.”

In other words, something or someone causes a person to take flight. That’s exactly what America was doing when FDR made his comment, and one must wonder how often believers take flight from the things of the Lord — His Truth, conviction, guidance, leadership, correction, etc.

Consider Isaiah 8:11-13, where clear instruction is provided, encouraging the faithful to walk in the counsel of the Lord, not the wisdom and reasoning of unregenerate humanity.

For thus the Lord spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying, You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’ In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread.

In actuality, all God’s people have nothing to fear except the Lord Himself … fearing Him, the Holy One, and no others.

Can you see the consistency of the Lord in this matter when contemplating the similarities of Christ’s instruction to His followers in Matthew 10:26-29?

Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Again, in actuality all God’s people have nothing to fear except the Lord Himself … fearing Him, the Holy One, and no others.

This “reverential fear,” which should be prominent in every true Christian, is best understood as nothing caused through or by the intimidation or the attack of adversaries, but as active in/through a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ as not only Saviour, but Lord! First, Christ is viewed as the controlling motive of life, in matters spiritual, moral, and ethical conduct — not a mere “fear” of His power and righteous retribution, but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him. This “fear” banishes any and all terror that shrinks from His presence. (Study Romans 8:15, Philippians 2:12)

Second, Christ’s true disciples are undeniably and indisputably convinced that one’s circumstances are guided by trust in Him, through the influences of God’s indwelling Holy Spirit and His Word as they, together, bear witness (speak) within one’s mind, heart, soul, etc. (Study Acts 9:31; II Corinthians 7:1)

Next, faithful followers’ reverential “fear” of God will inspire a constant carefulness in dealing with others. (Study Ephesians 5:21; I Peter 3:15-16) Last, this fear works powerfully in each believer to remind them that life is extremely short, compared to eternity, and that the things of this world are to be held lightly with proper understanding of their purpose in one’s life. (Study I Peter 1:17-19; I Corinthians 7:1)

The Psalmist (Psalm 33:18) declares, “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness!” Unquestionably, there is an understanding of reverential fear, the concepts defined above, deep within his heart/mind/soul.

At West Oaks Fellowship, we regularly sing a great song entitled “Whom Shall I Fear” by Darrell Evans which asks,

Whom shall I fear? Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life
Whom shall I fear? Whom shall I fear?

Now you know the right answer is definitely NOT – no one or nothing! — Pastor Frank

The foundation of our society and government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.
President Calvin Coolidge

Much like the threads of a huge, carefully woven tapestry, God’s Word is a natural fiber stitched throughout the fabric of America! Our history speaks clearly … the Bible has been consistently valued and held in high esteem by individuals in our nation even before its revolutionary birth. In addition, the scripture’s influence in science, education, law, society, government, and politics is historically undeniable even though many intentionally fail to recognize or acknowledge the scripture’s contribution in these areas of human development and America. Truly, America would not be America without the Bible!

Simply put, the Bible is the most influential book ever written.
Time Magazine, March 22, 2007

Even today, in what some call “a post-Christian America,” a recent ARG (American Research Group) poll recorded that only 26% of our parents never (or refuse to) read the scriptures to their children. This statistic alone reinforces the idea that many in our nation still look to the Bible as an authoritative source for morals, ethics, and spiritual direction while believing in (holding to) the precepts that it presents for our society.

WE OWN IT

No other book of any title or kind comes remotely close to Bible ownership in America. Currently 94% of adults in our nation own a least one copy/version of the scriptures and many homes have multiple copies. (2 – 28%; 3 – 21%; 4 – 10%; 5 – 4%: over 5 – 12%, more – 3%) Accordingly, at least 47% of American households have at least 3 copies of God’s Word! In addition, Bibles are given as gifts to friends and relatives more than any other publication in the United States.

WE SAY WE BELIEVE IT

According to a recent ARG survey, Americans say they have significant confidence in the scriptures. Actually, 90% said they still believe that the Bible applies to today’s problems and/or issues. This statistic confirms that the scriptures hold a place of sacred significance within our culture/society. When asked in a recent Barna survey, the vast majority (86%) of U.S. adults said the Bible came to mind “first” when asked to name books they consider to be sacred literature or holy. FYI … That’s 10 times greater than the Koran! The book of Mormon and the Hebrew Torah both rank at less than 4%. It’s also interesting to note that only 17% of Americans actually believe that the Bible, Koran, Torah, and the book of Mormon are simply different expressions of the same spiritual truths.

WE READ IT (sort of)

In current American homes, 40% read the scriptures to their sons and daughters on a weekly basis, and about 75% manage once a month. On an individual basis, an ARG poll discovered that 52% read the Bible weekly and 75% at least once a month.

Now all these statistics seem incredibly encouraging, but also somewhat confusing when one considers the spiritual condition of our country. Here’s the facts … 94% of Americans own Bibles; 90% of our nation believes that the scriptures are still applicable today. A large number read God’s Word to their children somewhat regularly; however, only 29% of American adults read or study God’s Word in any form outside of their own/family’s church attendance.

While we own and declare we believe the Bible, Americans just don’t read it very much/often on their own initiative. Is there something wrong with this picture? How about this stat … when asked, “Do you think it’s time for Americans to go back to reading the scriptures?” … 88% answered, yes! When asked, “Is America in more need of the Bible today than ever before? … 91% answered, yes! Even 84% said they’d like to learn more and have greater knowledge about God and His Word! Even the brilliant, genius physicist, Albert Einstein once stated:

I want to understand the thoughts of God.

Fellow believers and faithful participants of West Oaks Fellowship, the implication of this data is pretty simple and woefully stunning. We, as Americans, seem to have a built-in longing for these Holy Words of God, yet many are living in starvation and continued malnourishment even though the Bible is readily available right under our noses, right in our homes – on demand, or right at our finger tips — via cell phones, tablets, media devices, and computers, etc.

If a man is not familiar with the Bible, he has suffered the loss which he had better make all possible haste to correct … a thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.
President Teddy (Theodore) Roosevelt

I wonder … What would it be like if Bibles weren’t so easily available or if there was a great price to pay?

Think about it. — Pastor Frank

Tag: roosevelt

FEAR

THE BIBLE & AMERICA