FEAR: Fear God, Not Man

FEAR: Fear God, Not Man
FEAR: Fear God, Not Man

“And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.”
—Luke 12:4-5

An acquaintance of this writer died very suddenly this week. Death seems so much more real when it strikes someone with which one has had regular conversations.

Among the many conversations which ensued throughout this week, one touched on what lay beyond this life and fear.

The acquaintance was a worldly person who was very much a friend of the world.

“know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
—James 4:4

This is related because the question was posed “Do you suppose it’s scary (referring to death) if it’s so quick? Anyway, he didn’t have time to be scared.”

The question was largely left unanswered and the conversation moved to (many) other subjects. The subject of “fear” was forgotten.

When it comes to God, many people live fearless lives; i.e., they have no fear of the Lord. Because of God’s long-suffering, they have the liberty to do this.

But it’s a short, short life–and one never knows one’s appointed time. It could be a minute from now or thirty years.

FEAR OF MEN

So many operate with a fear of men and not of God. This is completely backwards from what Jesus warned.

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
—Matthew 10:28

While the power of men may seem more immediate, the consequences of eternal torment require a healthy fear of God.

“In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.”
—Proverbs 14:26-27

Men will attempt to instill a fear of men. Men will try to stoke fear with tribulation and persecution.

Fear: What does the Bible Say about Conquering Fear? (of men)

Men can cause trouble. Men can persecute and men can kill.

But then, their power is finished.

“Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight. Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men.”
—Psalm 9:19-20

Fear God who judges for all eternity.

And God WILL judge–whether the person chooses to believe it or not.

“And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;”
—1 Peter 3:13-14

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16

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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

image: ETPR/Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos.net/ETPR

© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-15. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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