Luke 12:4–7 (ESV)
Have No Fear
4 “I tell you, my friends,
do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two
pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
As Christians, we need to expect persecution.
Persecution from nonbelievers and some that claim to be believers, but are overly religious hypocrites. Although these people will be after us, Jesus is saying that we should not fear those who can kill our body, but we should fear him who, after he
has killed, has authority to cast into hell. That is... fear God who is the ultimate Judge. The hypocrites may be able to kill the body, but our soul belongs to the Lord. We are children of God and we are valuable to him.
I pray, O Lord, too often I get up worrying and fearing those who can hurt or kill me, but I should be putting all must trust into you Lord. You are the Judge and you have all authority over the Devil and
all his demons. Help me to not get distracted, but to trust and walk according to your ways, even in the face of death, for you are the author of Life. Amen.