For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. Luke 12:2-4 (NKJV)
We worry about what others may think of us when we speak of God or Jesus, and our love and belief in them. So much so, that we might stay silent, even when we are led by the Holy Spirit to speak up. It could be because we dont want to be thought of as being a religious nut, or fanatic. It could be because we are afraid of the opposition or persecution that may arise because of our words or our stand for God.
Jesus is addressing this very problem here in the Book of Luke. He goes on to say, that we shouldnt be so concerned about those who will oppress us, or even those who threaten us; even if that threat includes death. He actually plays down our death, saying that after that, these people cant do anything else to you. Its as if death really isnt the biggest threat that faces us.
Well if it isnt, then what is?
We can find the answer to that question in the next verse.
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! Luke 12:5 (NKJV)
Jesus doesnt guarantee our protection from death in these verses, but He affirms that:
1)God alone controls our final destiny
2)Death of our earthly body is not a final destiny
3)God is intimately aware of everything that is going to happen to us
4)God alone possesses the power to cast someone into hell
5)We should fear (have respect or reverence for) God, more than we should fear any persecution that may befall us because of living for Him or speaking about Him.
You know Jesus speaks of Hell more than He does of Heaven in the New Testament. I believe He does this because He wants us to know about it, and what it consists of. And He doesnt want anyone to go there. It was designed for Satan and the fallen angels.
Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41 (NKJV)
But it is mans choice as to whether he goes or not, and that is what our life on earth is about; making that choice as to who we will serve.
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)
It is remarkable to me how many people believe in God and in Heaven, but they dont acknowledge Hell. Its as if the word is taboo. Dont speak of it, and then it wont exist. But it doesnt work like that.
Its remarkable how many people speak of their belief in God and Jesus but they dont believe in the Holy Word of GodThe Bible.
Its remarkable to me how many people read the Word of God, but they dont believe in or have faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah.
The religious leaders of Jesus day had the Holy inspired writings of the prophets to point them to the truth that Jesus was the Messiah that they had long waited for and they simply decided to choose what they wanted to believe. And this continues to this day in many man made religions.
God tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9 that He will provide the faith to believe; this too, is a gift from Him. We just need to decide whether we will choose to accept this gift of faith, and then implement it. And if we are to choose to implement it, then we should choose to believe wholeheartedly in God and His Word. And that means turning from our sinful life, and abiding in His Word (See John 15).
St. Augustine said, God gives where He finds empty hands.
Open your hands today, and tell God that you want all that He has to give you today. Open your Bible, and read it prayerfully, and you will be given much. Hell, my friend is very real, but so is Heaven. And it is your choice of your own free will as to whether you accept Gods free gift of salvation and Heaven, or you refuse Jesus payment on the cross for your sin and in doing so, choose Hell. But it is your choice!
STUDY QUESTION: What can we determine with respect to Heaven, and Hell, and our choice in the matter according to the verses above?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you willing to allow God to bless you greatly and enable you to serve Him to the best of your ability?
APPLICATION: Lay your life down at the Lords feet. Let Him use you in whatever way He chooses. Dont put limits on Him. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you to others boldly about Jesus and His love and sacrifice.
And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. Luke 12:2-4 (NKJV)
We worry about what others may think of us when we speak of God or Jesus, and our love and belief in them. So much so, that we might stay silent, even when we are led by the Holy Spirit to speak up. It could be because we dont want to be thought of as being a religious nut, or fanatic. It could be because we are afraid of the opposition or persecution that may arise because of our words or our stand for God.
Jesus is addressing this very problem here in the Book of Luke. He goes on to say, that we shouldnt be so concerned about those who will oppress us, or even those who threaten us; even if that threat includes death. He actually plays down our death, saying that after that, these people cant do anything else to you. Its as if death really isnt the biggest threat that faces us.
Well if it isnt, then what is?
We can find the answer to that question in the next verse.
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! Luke 12:5 (NKJV)
Jesus doesnt guarantee our protection from death in these verses, but He affirms that:
1)God alone controls our final destiny
2)Death of our earthly body is not a final destiny
3)God is intimately aware of everything that is going to happen to us
4)God alone possesses the power to cast someone into hell
5)We should fear (have respect or reverence for) God, more than we should fear any persecution that may befall us because of living for Him or speaking about Him.
You know Jesus speaks of Hell more than He does of Heaven in the New Testament. I believe He does this because He wants us to know about it, and what it consists of. And He doesnt want anyone to go there. It was designed for Satan and the fallen angels.
Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41 (NKJV)
But it is mans choice as to whether he goes or not, and that is what our life on earth is about; making that choice as to who we will serve.
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)
It is remarkable to me how many people believe in God and in Heaven, but they dont acknowledge Hell. Its as if the word is taboo. Dont speak of it, and then it wont exist. But it doesnt work like that.
Its remarkable how many people speak of their belief in God and Jesus but they dont believe in the Holy Word of GodThe Bible.
Its remarkable to me how many people read the Word of God, but they dont believe in or have faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah.
The religious leaders of Jesus day had the Holy inspired writings of the prophets to point them to the truth that Jesus was the Messiah that they had long waited for and they simply decided to choose what they wanted to believe. And this continues to this day in many man made religions.
God tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9 that He will provide the faith to believe; this too, is a gift from Him. We just need to decide whether we will choose to accept this gift of faith, and then implement it. And if we are to choose to implement it, then we should choose to believe wholeheartedly in God and His Word. And that means turning from our sinful life, and abiding in His Word (See John 15).
St. Augustine said, God gives where He finds empty hands.
Open your hands today, and tell God that you want all that He has to give you today. Open your Bible, and read it prayerfully, and you will be given much. Hell, my friend is very real, but so is Heaven. And it is your choice of your own free will as to whether you accept Gods free gift of salvation and Heaven, or you refuse Jesus payment on the cross for your sin and in doing so, choose Hell. But it is your choice!
STUDY QUESTION: What can we determine with respect to Heaven, and Hell, and our choice in the matter according to the verses above?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you willing to allow God to bless you greatly and enable you to serve Him to the best of your ability?
APPLICATION: Lay your life down at the Lords feet. Let Him use you in whatever way He chooses. Dont put limits on Him. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you to others boldly about Jesus and His love and sacrifice.
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