“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10.28, ESV)

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This author truly understands the fear created by evildoers and criminals, and more specifically, terrorism. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit has given us comfort through His word. In Matthew 10.28, Jesus reminds us that we should not fear those who can kill the body. Why? Simply put, because they cannot kill the soul. It is comforting to know that no matter what happens to us in this life – up to and including death – our soul cannot be affected. Therefore, what is there to fear from man?

In fact, God has promised, “‘…I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Heb. 13.5-6). Elsewhere, the Holy Spirit said, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8.35-39) Once again, the faithful have nothing to fear because the faithless can do nothing to our soul.

Whom, then, shall we fear? Jesus said, “…fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” If we live for unrighteousness here and now, we will experience true fear on the day of judgment. However, if we live for righteousness, there is nothing to fear. John taught, “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (1 John 4.15-18).

Whom do you fear? If you’re a faithful Christian you have nothing to fear – whether you are facing an earthly threat or the judgment seat of Christ.

Are you a Christian? Contact us today and we will help you learn more about Christ and His word and what you need to do to obey the gospel. E-mail | Message us on Facebook | Call/text: 903.308.4905

“Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” (Acts 8.4, ESV)¹

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¹In the context, Christians were dealing with persecution including prison time, beatings, and/or death (See the books of Acts). Despite this, Christians went about preaching the word. In fact, since the Christians were so diligent in teaching others, Luke recorded in Acts that the church multiplied by the thousands and yet persecutions abounded!

What’s our excuse for not teaching others? Is it the television? Coming home after a long day and putting up our feet to watch T.V. sounds great. Is it the internet? Spending time surfing the net and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter is very relaxing. Is it tiredness? Indeed, forty to fifty hours a week at work can be exhausting. Too many activities? Little Johnny has soccer, Suzie has softball, Bobby has piano lessons, Bill has chess club, etc. Of course, these activities are necessary.

Surely one can see the sarcasm above. Simply put, we put too much before our God. We focus on the wrong things. We fill our lives with so much that we neglect spiritual things. If we find ourselves not teaching sinners, isn’t it time we examine our lives and discover what we need to eliminate to make time?

Perhaps time is not the issue. Perhaps a lack of knowledge is the reason why we do not teach. What are we doing about that, brethren? Are we diligently studying? Are we seeking to learn God’s word to teach our family or friends?

Here are the facts: If Christians in the first century lived in a time with no electricity and no modern-day comforts, and dealt with constant hardship due to persecution and yet still taught sinners, then God will not accept our excuses of being too tired, wanting to watch our favorite television shows, or that little billy has football practice every afternoon, etc. It is scary how many of us will be using those excuses on judgment day!

If you want to learn about God’s will, please e-mail Bryan Garlock, message us on Facebook, or text 903.308.405.

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5.10, ESV)¹

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¹Contextually, Peter wrote about the suffering that his readers were experiencing and would continue to experience. Though these saints were being grieved by various fiery trials, their genuineness of faith was being tested (1 Peter 1.6-9; 4.12, etc.). In other words, remaining faithful in a dark world will involve hardship, and even more so, remaining faithful through suffering proves our commitment to God. In reality, it separates those who love the Lord and those who give Him lip service.

However, to help these suffering saints endure these trials Peter instructs them how to conduct themselves throughout their life here on earth and builds them up by reminding them of the promises of God to deliver them in the end (please read both 1 and 2 Peter for these instructions and promises). This helps explain our text at hand. Simply put, Peter's point is after we have been tested and found to be genuine that the God of all grace will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. In other words, we will receive the end of our faith - the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1.9). What great promises! We may have many hardships that we must endure, but our Father who calls us to His eternal glory in Christ says this is just for a little while, and does not compare to the eternity that awaits us (see 1 Peter 1.6; 2 Cor. 4.17; Rom. 8.18).

Are you in Christ (Gal. 3.26-27)? If we suffer, Peter instructs us not to suffer as a sinner, but as a Christian who has entrusted himself to a faithful Creator (1 Peter 4.12-19). If you want be comforted with the peace that only Christ can give you, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.