Hebrews 2:14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.(NIV)
The fear of death. I don't think you hear about it that much in this country because most people put it out of their minds. They may see it on the news but that's what happens to someone else. One day we're all that someone else that it happens to. The time is coming when you will take your last breath. Each person has only 86, 400 seconds a day. How are you spending those seconds? At one time in his life Saul of Tarsus spent those seconds pursuing believers of what was called "The Way." But Paul himself said, ""I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it" (Galatians 1:13). I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. (1 Tim. 1:13) He thought he had the way but he failed to see who Jesus was. He was ignorant. He was destitute of the true wisdom of God. Yes even this man, who penned 2 thirds of the New Testament approved when the disciple Steven was being stoned to death by Jews who really didn't want to have anything to do with what he said. That they had failed to see Jesus for who he was, the predicted coming Righteous One who they had betrayed and murdered. (Acts 7:52) But the Old Testament had spoken about Him, "Made His grave with the wicked but with the rich at his death." (Isaiah 53:9) Fulfilled 750 years later when Jesus, bent, twisted and pierced body was laid in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea , a rich man who believed. Jesus prepared His disciples for it saying in Matthew 16 " I must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and I must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Isaiah had said, "It pleased the LORD to bruise Him...to make His soul an offering for sin." There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death say the proverbs. In this case the way of death led to the hope of life eternal to everyone who calls upon His name. From a God who wishes that no one would perish but all would come to repentance for everlasting life, with Him. A life of obedience to the will of God which is being holy , because He is holy. That is, set apart to obey the call of God. Paul soon found it wouldn't be easy for Jesus Himself said to paul at his conversion on the road to Damascus "he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My Name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake." Suffer? I thought God loved us. How could He make us suffer? As Christ suffered so God's people will suffer. When we suffer we learn how much we really have. An inheritance incorruptible, undefiled reserved in heaven. One that will never pass away. The world wants the passing pleasures of sin. The quick fix. The instant gratification of the flesh. The world hates Jesus. Because He says these things are wrong, evil and will bring about your death eternally. The Jesus of Scripture is hated because He points out their imperfections. Their evil hearts. Their inheritant wickedness from the womb. " behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me." God says through David you have been brought forth in wickedness. You certainly don't have to teach a baby how to lie, to cheat, to manipulate. It comes naturally. We're born selfish little sinners. Screaming out our displeasure or discomfort whenever we don't have our way. People don't want to be held accountable for the lusts, elicit passions and perversions that consume their every waking hour. They want the freedom to do as they please. Oh, God will allow them to do it but remember the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions,dissensions, heresies, envy, murders drunkenness, revelries, and the like; nor homosexuals nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. " (Gal 5:16-21;1 Cor. 6:9-11) Acts that are displeasing to God because no good can come from them. They lead to death. The kingdom of God is life. The works of the flesh death. Of the mind, body, soul and "Everlasting destruction from presence of God and the glory of His power." The spirits fruit... love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness ,gentleness, and self-control. God doesn't say this because he's a spoil sport but because he loves us and wants the best for us. That best includes life forever with Him in a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells. The world and it's desires are passing away. Therefore do not love the world or anything in the world. For the world's desires are dying as is everyone who clings to them . But those who do the will of God live forever. Where there is no more pain, no more suffering, no more sorrow and no more death. For the old order of things will pass away.
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