Rachel Workman: 28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want
to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy
both soul and body in hell.[j] 29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper
coin[k]? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father
knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be
afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. I have
always loved these verses. Isn't it reassuring to know the only person who can
destroy your soul is God? In a world where is seems everyone is hell bent on
destroying others for their own personal gain it's reassuring to know only the
Father is on control of your destiny. And he loves us beyond our wildest
dreams. We are more valuable than any other treasure God possesses.
32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
____________________________________________________________________________________
John
Burnett: 28 Do not fear those who kill the body
but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy
both soul and body in [a]hell. 29 Are
not two sparrows sold for a [b]cent? And yet not one
of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But
the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So do not
fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. And
he placed the stars in the heavens as well. He knows us down to the
number of hairs on our head. He also knows our thoughts and he still died
for us even though we are wretched sinners.
32 “Therefore everyone who [c]confesses Me before men, I
will also confess [d]him before My Father who is
in heaven. 33 But whoever [e]denies Me before men, I will
also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. This
simple promise of confessing Him is hurdle to many because, many will say I am
a Christian and I did this and I served in this ministry. Jesus in their
mind is not enough, they think they have to do their part, when He alone is
sufficient and when you add your dirty rags to the equation, you come up way
short.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Allen
Michaels: 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but
cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul
and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet
not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And
even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t
be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also
acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns
me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
What does fear have to do with the
kingdom of God? Fear is a powerful force. It can lead us to panic
and flight or it can spur us to faith and action. The fear of God is the
antidote to the fear of losing one's life. I sought the Lord, and he
answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. O fear the Lord, you his
saints, for those who fear him have no want! Come, O sons, listen to me,
I will teach you the fear of the Lord. (Psalm 34:4, 9, 11) What is
godly fear? It is reverence for the One who made us in love and who
sustains us in mercy and kindness. The greatest injury or loss which we
can experience is not physical but spiritual -- the loss of one's soul to the
power of hell. A healthy fear of God leads to spiritual maturity, wisdom
and right judgment and it frees us from the tyranny of sinful pride, cowardice
-- especially in the face of evil and spiritual deception. Do you trust in
God's grace and mercy and submit to his word?
When Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of
God he met opposition and hostility. He tells his disciples that
they must expect the same treatment if they are to live and to proclaim the
reign of God. There is both a warning and a privilege in his statement.
Just as Jesus had to carry his cross, so the disciples must carry their cross
and not try to evade it. To suffer for the faith is to share in the work
of Christ. As one hymn states: Lift high the Cross of Christ!
Tread where his feet have trod. The Holy Spirit gives us power and
grace to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. Do you trust in God’s grace to
carry your cross for Jesus’ sake?
"Lord, it is my joy and
privilege to be your disciple. Give me strength and courage to bear any
hardship and suffering which may come my way in your service. May I witness to
others the joy of the gospel." In Jesus name I pray, amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment