“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. 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! Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:4-7
This passage warns us not to fear the ridicule or violence of man who can only kill the body but rather fear God who can both kill and then cast a person into Hell. After just telling the reader to fear God, it then seems to contradict itself and instructs us to fear not. What it is saying us is if you have an appropriate fear of God, you need fear nothing else. Even the most insignificant sparrow is watched over closely by God, how much more watched over are people who God gave His very son to die for them. There is nothing to fear for a person who is obeying God’s commands.
The fear that we are we normally think to have for God is a fear of offending, born of awe, reverence and humility. However, there is also another side which is fearing God’s power to punish. This punishment is eternal damnation for the unbeliever but God even causes painful discipline and chastening for Believers at times that stray so that they can be properly molded into a more holy person. (Hebrews 12:5-11).
For the Believer, Jesus does not give the warning to fear Him in a harsh way as he starts by addressing the disciples as friends. He is pleading with his Believing friends to have a healthy fear of God who has their best interests at heart and closely watches and cares for them. Man can kill us but that is nothing to fear for a Christian. The very hairs of our head are numbered and God will give us the grace and provision to face anything he puts before us. For the Unbeliever, the fear of Hell should draw him to believe and fear God alone or damnation awaits.
Discover more from The Conservative Christian Apologist
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
