STEVE MORGAN

The message of the gospel reminds believers that Jesus Christ is both eternal and personal. He existed before creation, yet chose to live among humanity in love and humility. Before the world began, He knew the cost of redemption. He knew that He would give His life so others might be free from sin. His death on the cross and His resurrection are the foundation of Christian hope. Every act of worship and communion points back to this truth: salvation and forgiveness come only through Him.

The bread and the cup of communion serve as reminders of what Jesus did. His broken body and shed blood paid for every sin without exception. There are no limits to His forgiveness; nothing is beyond His power to cleanse. Because of His sacrifice, believers are protected and secure. The blood of Jesus acts as a covering over the soul, something even the enemy cannot touch without God’s permission. And salvation is not something we can earn or maintain on our own. It is a gift that continues by the strength of Christ’s blood until the day we see Him face to face.

The Bible teaches that while salvation is secure, many Christians still live in fear. Paul’s words to Timothy remind us that fear is not from God. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” Paul wrote these words from prison to a young man struggling with anxiety and discouragement. Timothy needed to be reminded that fear weakens our faith, while confidence in God restores our strength.

Fear is one of the main tools Satan uses against believers. He cannot take away salvation, but he can steal the peace and joy that come with it. Fear clouds our judgment, fills our minds with “what if” questions, and causes us to focus on the negative. It often begins when we see others suffer and assume the same will happen to us. The enemy uses these comparisons to make us worry and doubt God’s care.

Another way fear grows is through constant exposure to negative information. Many people live attached to screens and news feeds that only increase anxiety. Fear spreads through what we hear and see, and before long, it becomes part of our thinking. God’s Spirit urges us to disconnect from what feeds fear and instead focus on what builds peace and faith.

If God is not the source of fear, then it must come from another place. Satan uses fear to confuse and deceive. It pushes us toward unwise decisions made out of panic rather than trust. Fear makes people act irrationally, doubt the truth of Scripture, and believe lies that contradict God’s Word. It can even paralyze us, keeping us from moving forward or doing what God has called us to do.

But fear also exposes what we trust most. If our confidence is in money, health, or reputation, those things can fail. Confidence built on God’s promises, however, remains steady because He never changes.

Paul reminded Timothy that true confidence does not come from our own strength but from knowing who God is. “I know whom I have believed,” Paul said, “and I am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day.” God is able. When we are unsure, He remains certain. When we are weak, His strength sustains us.

God’s purpose guides everything in a believer’s life. Even when His plans are unclear, He works all things for good for those who love Him. Trusting that purpose allows us to face uncertainty with peace. Faith does not remove all fear, but it gives courage to stand firm despite it. His promises are the believer’s anchor as the world changes constantly and His Word stays the same.

One day, every tear will be wiped away, and the struggles of this life will be forgotten in the presence of Christ. Until that day comes, followers of Jesus are called to live with faith and confidence, not anxiety. Each day is an opportunity to trust God’s power, rest in His purpose, and hold on to His promises.

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7