“I tell you, my friends, do
not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I
will show you whom you should fear. Fear him who, after the killing of the body
has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”
Luke 12.4, 5
We may fear those who can exert
some temporal power over us. And this fear could occasion us to withhold the
truth and to speak forth only things that are pleasing or acceptable to those
we fear. This might even result in some denial of Christ or, at least, a
watering down of the Gospel. Yet all these earthly menacers have power only in
the present physical domain. Jesus tells us not to be afraid of such.
Then He tells us we should fear
the one who has power beyond the physical dimension. The one who controls the
spiritual domain is able to cast us into hell.
Thus we see temporary
incapacity compared with permanent, eternal damnation.
It’s not easy to ignore the
world’s threats, even the gentle innuendos. But it is surely encouraging to
know that a present stance for what we know is right, is supported by the
guarantee of eternal wellbeing.
Jesus completes this section
with the assurance that the Holy Spirit is with those who stand firm. They will
be given exactly what to say and do when the time comes.
Mighty God,
I see the truth of temporary persecution against eternal wellbeing, yet
I am not comfortable at the thought of great trials and testings in this
earthly life.
Notwithstanding my concerns, I give myself into Your keeping. I pray
that I will not hold back nor fail when my faith is tested. I pray for Holy Spirit
strength and enabling to stand for Jesus and, after all is done, to keep
standing.
I love You and want always to affirm that love. Help me, please, in
Jesus’ name I ask. Amen.
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