Taking A Risk on God
A risk-free life sounds nice but is impossible. For the Christian, what risks will we take for God? The Christmas story involves a severe reputation risk, but the world was blessed because of Mary's faithfulness. What fears disable believers from flourishing? How can we learn from Mary and Joseph to follow the Lord without fear?
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The Birth of Jesus Christ
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ[a] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed[b] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
A Reputation Risk
We can't live life without taking risks. This applies on all scales, large and small. You can't plan a vacation to the beach without the risk of rain. If you love someone, there's the risk they will reject you. If you start a new business, there's a risk it could fail.
We make a big deal about risk in our culture. There are even companies that are founded and labor to make a profit around risk management. There are insurance policies to cover the risk of something happening to your vehicle, residence, your personhood, and even your reputation.
Life is full of risks, but the real question is: Which risks will we take for God?
The Christmas story begins with a description of risks, specifically regarding reputation. Our Scripture opens with Mary, still a virgin, carrying a child. She's risking heavy criticism, misunderstanding, and rejection.
"And her husband, Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly." Matthew 1:19
Throughout history, to be right with God often involves being in trouble with people. So let's examine the vulnerabilities associated with the Christmas story and the reality of how it relates to our lives.
What Risks Stop Believers?
1) The Fear of the Opinion of People
The Bible has an abundance of instruction about the development of our character and a good name. Proverbs 22 tells us that "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold."
We may not be called to a virgin birth, but what if, like Mary and Joseph, God chooses a manner to move in our lives that will affect our reputation in some people's eyes? Can we stand for God and be misunderstood by people yet still experience God's blessing? Can we, as Christ followers, be free from fear as we follow God?
Mary and Joseph did. How?
They had a greater revelation of God than they had of people. Unfortunately, many Christians get tripped here because they have the opposite perspective: a greater revelation of people than God. Because of that, it freezes a believer into a place where they don't have the opportunity to thrive as God intended. The fear of people's opinion lays a snare that makes their opinion control you in a way that hinders your flourishing in Jesus Christ.
"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Psalm 118:6
Often, the easy thing on the front end creates long-term pain; doing the hard thing that is the right thing (obedience) on the front end brings long-term peace and blessing. But while there can be a fear of people's opinions, there's another side to this coin.
2) The Love of Praise from People
There is nothing wrong with a well-timed compliment, both given and received. Encouragement is one of God's spiritual gifts in his body, and He desires that we encourage one another.
But, when a man or woman is afraid to speak up for Christ or bring Him witness because that person will no longer be a member of their mutual admiration club, have we become approval addicts? However, nothing is new under the sun, which was a problem even in Jesus' day.
JESUS: "Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees, they did not confess it so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God." John 12:42
Sometimes we pray as Christians, "Lord, make me like Jesus." Now, that's a good thing to pray; It's a biblical thing to pray. Romans 8:29 tells us that God ultimately wants our lives to conform to the image of Jesus. However, I want to remind you what the Apostle Paul wrote about Jesus.
"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:" Philippians 2:6-7
If we're to be conformed into the image of Jesus in this lifetime, then part of that conformity is burning up our reputations in some people's eyes. So we must not only hear that truth but also embrace it in our hearts.
Remember that Jesus told us to beware when all people speak well of us. We need to be a little salty. There needs to be a healthy sense of standing out. John Bevere, minister and author said, "If you desire the praise of man, you will fear man. If you fear man, you will serve him—for you will serve what you fear."
Isn't it true that it is painful to be under the bondage of fearing the disapproval of others? It can be enough to emotionally paralyze a person and steal your joy in Christ emotionally. Proverbs 29 says that fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. The fear of man is a snare because man is a false god, but the fear of the Lord is safe because He is God.
"The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death." Proverbs 14:17
Why would God use that fear of the Lord as life-giving? Because fear of the Lord is not rooted in being afraid of fear. Instead, it is rooted in reverential awe of God. It's where we live our lives as Jesus' followers for an audience of one by seeking to honor Him with our heart, life, and the fruit we bear.
How Do We Live Without Fear?
Joseph and Mary had to be operating in these truths as they were able to follow the Lord faithfully, even while under scrutiny. Because of their obedience, the world was blessed.
"Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." Matthew 1:20
"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel (which means God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the LORD commanded him: He took his wife but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus." Matthew 1:23-24
This is amazing news. There are thousands of reasons why, but if God is with us, the implication is that not only God is with us, but He can be in us. That's the power that sets us free from vulnerabilities.
Much like past pandemics, including COVID-19, there's good news in those experiences. A vaccine has been made available. However, a vaccine is only good if you take it. I submit that if a vaccine is only good if you take it, being released from vulnerabilities only has one cure. Jesus is the cure.
Just like you've got to receive that vaccine into your body to receive its benefit, you must receive Jesus into your life to receive the benefit—salvation. Only then will He be "God with you;" you have to receive Him. So John 1:12 says, "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God."
When He is, then you can say with the old hymn: "He walks with me, and talks with me, and tells me I am His own." But you can't take that for granted. You need to make sure He is really with you and in you.
Maybe you're a Christian already, but you've allowed fears to incrementally gather a foothold in your life while worry and anxiety are choking out the gift of Christ in your life. It is not God's desire for you to perish. Instead, he wants you to draw closer to Him. If you allow the tenderness of your heart to move with Him, rise above your fears, and surrender to him, He will bring flourishing life for His glory.
TL;DR
Life is full of risks, and they are inevitable.
Which risks will you take for God? Would you risk your reputation?
What risks stop believers from flourishing?
The Fear of Opinion from People
Mary and Joseph had a greater revelation of God than they did people.
The fear of people's opinions lays a snare that makes their opinion control you in a way that hinders your flourishing in Jesus Christ.
The Love of Praise from People
If we're to be conformed into the image of Jesus in this lifetime, then part of that conformity is burning up our reputations in some people's eyes.
The fear of man is a snare because man is a false god, but the fear of the Lord is safe because he is God.
How Do We Live Like This?
Mary and Joseph operated under these truths, and their faithfulness blessed the world.
Draw closer to God through a tender heart and move with Him. Through your surrender, you will rise above your fears.
Related Reading
How to Respond to God’s Call by Rev. Paul Lawler
Receiving God Over Fear by Rev. Paul Lawler
The Gift of a Savior by Rev. Paul Lawler
About Christ Church Memphis
Christ Church Memphis is church in East Memphis, Tennessee. For more than 65 years, Christ Church has served the Memphis community. Every weekend, there are multiple worship opportunities including traditional, contemporary and blended services
