Fear Not

 

 Matthew 10: 24-33

 ²⁴ “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house ^[a]Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! ²⁶ Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

Jesus Teaches the Fear of God

²⁷ “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. ²⁸ And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in ^[b]hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a ^[c]copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. ³⁰ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Confess Christ Before Men

³² “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. ³³ But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

In advising us not to fear, Jesus encourages us by his own example to boldly preach and live the TRUTH. Persecutions have been part of the history of his followers since the beginning and will be till the end of time Martyrs have blessed our ranks in every era and serve as models for us. "The blood of martyrs is the seed of faith," a saying that has proved true over the centuries, and one that should embolden us to live and p=profess our faith boldly  and fearlessly. If we hide it under a bushel basket what good will it do?  It will not serve as the LIGHT  for which it was intended and must be.  Let us pray for the courage and grace to live our faith  as Jesus encouraged us to live it.

Bro. Rene