Fear; Fear Not
Luke 12:1-12
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
(1 PETER 5:6-7)
I was pulling weeds from a bank of ice plant when my customer walked by. "If I was doing that, I could die," he said, "because I'm allergic to bees." His comment prompted me to look around and notice a thousand bees working alongside me. But I had nothing to fear. I'm not allergic.
In the Bible we are told both to fear and not to fear God. Luke 12:5 says, "Fear him [God] who... has the power to throw you into hell." But in verse 7 Jesus says, "Don't be afraid [of God]; you are worth [much to Him]." How do we sort this out?
We are all sinners. Because of His perfect justice, God must condemn sin. But for those who are in Christ, there is no need to fear God. You might say we are no longer "allergic" to Him. We can work right alongside of Him and not be harmed.
Yet we still have a healthy fear of dishonoring our holy, awesome God. We are safe because Christ "is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25).
INSIGHT
LIVE IN HIM, WORK IN HIM, REST IN HIM. JESUS IS OUR ANTIDOTE TO SIN'S CURSE AND OUR PASSPORT INTO THE GLORIOUS PRESENCE OF GOD.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
1 Samuel 18-19
Psalm 129
2 Corinthians 11
Luke 12:1-12
Luke 12:1-12
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Warnings and Encouragements
12 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.
4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 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. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies[a]? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
8 “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. 9 But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
Footnotes:
a. Luke 12:6 Greek two assaria
SLOW DOWN AND WORSHIP [PART 4]
Jesus says He wants to make our joy complete. He will take our burdens and give us the peace our hearts long for. Unfortunately our hearts are also prone to wander.
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