Message from Scripture: 1/18/2021

Our message from Scripture today is Heb. 2:14-15. “Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.”

Fear is an effect sin has on us. It’s first recorded in Gen. 3:10, where after sinning Adam and Eve were afraid to be in God’s presence. Using fig leaves to try and create suitable garments to cover themselves up reflects how fear can cause one to do irrational things.

In our passage today, the Hebrew writer speaks about how Satan can hold us captive through the fear of death. Certainly, none of us want to die, but later the Hebrew writer reminds us it is appointed for us to die (9:27), as the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). It begs the question, fearing what will happen no matter what, unless the Lord returns, what will we do by sinning trying to avoid what will happen anyway? Satan still uses fear to cause us to do irrational things. For some, it may be refusing to be immersed. For others, it may be not giving as one has been prospered. For still others, it may be not assembling together to worship. It can even be refusing to speak to others about the gospel that can save their soul. One can reason, “Well, what if this happens, or that happens, or they respond negatively,” or any other way Satan uses fear to handcuff us from doing what is right. Interestingly enough, the love of God and the fear of the Lord doesn’t factor in most of the time we make decisions, but the fear of Satan can and does.

Through the death of Christ, and the forgiveness it offers, death is not the end, but leads to eternal life. If eternal life is what God offers those in Christ, what real fear can death bring with it? On the basis of His death, Jesus can tell us to be faithful even to death (Rev. 2:10), and the testimony of heaven itself proclaims, “For they loved not their lives even unto death” (Rev. 12:11).

Live today in the fear of the Lord, but not the fear of Satan or sin. It makes all the difference in the world. God bless.

Robert