Fear God, Not Men
As times grow darker, persecution will become stronger. Even now, however, Christianity has grown out of favor in our society. This morning my husband was watching the news when I woke up. The commercials that kept interrupting the broadcast were all political. We have elections here in the United States in just a few short weeks and candidates are making their last-ditch efforts to sway popular opinion their direction. One ad struck me strangely. I do not remember the candidate who ran the ad or the opponent she was fighting against (it was for a state I do not live in) but, the ad’s main idea was that the other candidate was a bad choice because they held to traditional Christian values. The actors’ accusations sounded like recommendations to my ears. For a moment, I was confused. I wished I lived where these two people were running for senate because I would vote for this ‘monstrous’ Christian in heartbeat. Still, the message was clear: Many Americans view Christian values and beliefs as wrong and even dangerous.
Our world changes. The beliefs the masses hold to change and fluctuate through the years. History tells us that anti-God beliefs are nothing new. Being ridiculed, persecuted, and even killed for our faith has been a part of the human condition since Cain got jealous at Abel. Our response to this world’s rebellion against God’s rule cannot be one of fear. Jesus told his disciples, “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.” (verse 28)
Fear is a word with two very distinct meanings – even in ancient Greek. It can mean to be afraid or “seized with alarm”, or it can mean to be in awe of or give “reverential obedience”. They are very close together because they overlap. Sometimes our fright and alarm at someone or something’s potential for harm causes us to treat them with respect they do not deserve and obedience we should not be giving. This is why the rest of Jesus’ instruction is of such importance. He continued by saying, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (verses 28-31)
Josh Wilson has a song out entitled, “Things That I Am Afraid Of”. The lyrics explain our response to the things in this world that do cause us alarm and fear. He sings, “My fears would surely kill me if I didn’t know the truth: The things that I’m afraid of are afraid of You.” We are not stronger than the demons that manipulate so many in this world, but our God casts them out with a glance. Jesus showed his power over demons, sickness, and even the laws of nature. There is nothing too big for Him to handle. He is never frightened but always in control.
Before we cower to the masses or submit to the evil of this world, we must really take to heart the last line of our reading today: “So everyone who acknowledges me before me, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Verses 32 and 33) This world and all its struggles and power-plays will fade. We will not belong to it forever. Our lives on this planet are just mist in the morning sun compared with eternity. If we are to stand up to the evil that surrounds us, we must remember who truly deserves our fear.
(Written by Keegan Harkins.)
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