Our paragraph topic is: (Confidence in divine protection) Part 4.
As Christ speaks to his disciples about the things of the spiritual realm that they are to repeat in the light, they become afraid. He has spoken to them on several occasions about fear, telling them that they should not be afraid. They should not have fear or allow fear to enter into their hearts. For that fear opens the door for the evil one to enter in and to destroy their defenses. Instead, he has told them to keep their minds and hearts focused on his words and the words of the father. They are to remain calm in their thoughts and hearts so that the Spirit of the Father can come in and destroy the plans of the evil one.
Now Christ gives his disciples another warning as to who they should and should not fear. He tells them, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul." Christ wants his disciples to know the truth of their nature. The disciples have a body and a soul. One is distinct from the other even though they exist together as one being. The evil that men do when possessed of the evil demons would destroy the body. They cannot destroy the soul. As we look back on history one can see how the prophets were persecuted and killed because they obeyed the will of God and not the will of man. Satan would destroy the body of those he cannot reach. But he would prefer to destroy the body and the soul in hell.
Christ tells his disciples not to fear those who would destroy the body. Do not let fear of the loss of physical life of the flesh take hold of you. This is nothing to fear. For those who would destroy the body can do nothing else. They cannot destroy the soul of a person and therein is the difference. For those who belong to Christ will leave the physical realm and go to be with him in the spiritual realm. They will live in heaven with their heavenly father. So Christ provides to his disciples an explanation of the battle that lies before them. This is a battle for the minds and hearts and souls of men. This is the harvest of the ones who are the fruit of the spirit that belong to Christ and not to Satan. The devil wants to take as much fruit as he can from the harvest. But Christ and his disciples are there to collect the good fruit that belongs to the father. The rest will be harvested and thrown into the lake of fire.
Often times death comes like a thief in the night and brings pain and suffering to those who are not prepared for the transition. Loved ones grieve for their lost friends, spouses, children. And yet the transition is one of joy and peace and happiness for those who are prepared. Christ told his disciples in this passage not to be afraid of the destruction of the body because that destruction can not kill the soul. Instead death is but a transformation. So be not afraid of anyone or thing that can kill the body. For happy are they who are prepared.
When we live in the world and are fully present in the world, death comes as a shock. The world has led us to believe that we are to live a full life and die at an old age of 80 to 100 years old. So we do not prepare for that circumstance. We prepare to live in the world. We prepare to enjoy the riches of this life. We prepare for the passion and lust and selfishness of this world without any forethought of the afterlife. And yet it comes.
It comes when one is not prepared. It comes sometimes in unexpected ways. It comes in illnesses. It comes in disease. It comes in accidents. It comes by design. It comes through the actions of those possessed by the suggestions of demons who kill without any forethought or remorse. And sometimes it comes through a move of God who allows nature to take its course. Yet we are not prepared and find death unexpected.
The medical miracles of our modern times imply to us that we will live forever. With time we will be able to cure diseases. With time we will be able to repair broken limbs and hearts and replace organs. With time man may be able to live eternally. Yet death comes and man can not stop its progress. Christ has given his disciples spiritual principals by which to do battle. He has told them not to be afraid of one who can kill the body and not the soul. Will you believe in Christ and prepare yourself for the coming of death? Are you afraid of those who would kill the body? Christ tells us not to!!!
As Christ speaks to his disciples about the things of the spiritual realm that they are to repeat in the light, they become afraid. He has spoken to them on several occasions about fear, telling them that they should not be afraid. They should not have fear or allow fear to enter into their hearts. For that fear opens the door for the evil one to enter in and to destroy their defenses. Instead, he has told them to keep their minds and hearts focused on his words and the words of the father. They are to remain calm in their thoughts and hearts so that the Spirit of the Father can come in and destroy the plans of the evil one.
Now Christ gives his disciples another warning as to who they should and should not fear. He tells them, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul." Christ wants his disciples to know the truth of their nature. The disciples have a body and a soul. One is distinct from the other even though they exist together as one being. The evil that men do when possessed of the evil demons would destroy the body. They cannot destroy the soul. As we look back on history one can see how the prophets were persecuted and killed because they obeyed the will of God and not the will of man. Satan would destroy the body of those he cannot reach. But he would prefer to destroy the body and the soul in hell.
Christ tells his disciples not to fear those who would destroy the body. Do not let fear of the loss of physical life of the flesh take hold of you. This is nothing to fear. For those who would destroy the body can do nothing else. They cannot destroy the soul of a person and therein is the difference. For those who belong to Christ will leave the physical realm and go to be with him in the spiritual realm. They will live in heaven with their heavenly father. So Christ provides to his disciples an explanation of the battle that lies before them. This is a battle for the minds and hearts and souls of men. This is the harvest of the ones who are the fruit of the spirit that belong to Christ and not to Satan. The devil wants to take as much fruit as he can from the harvest. But Christ and his disciples are there to collect the good fruit that belongs to the father. The rest will be harvested and thrown into the lake of fire.
Often times death comes like a thief in the night and brings pain and suffering to those who are not prepared for the transition. Loved ones grieve for their lost friends, spouses, children. And yet the transition is one of joy and peace and happiness for those who are prepared. Christ told his disciples in this passage not to be afraid of the destruction of the body because that destruction can not kill the soul. Instead death is but a transformation. So be not afraid of anyone or thing that can kill the body. For happy are they who are prepared.
When we live in the world and are fully present in the world, death comes as a shock. The world has led us to believe that we are to live a full life and die at an old age of 80 to 100 years old. So we do not prepare for that circumstance. We prepare to live in the world. We prepare to enjoy the riches of this life. We prepare for the passion and lust and selfishness of this world without any forethought of the afterlife. And yet it comes.
It comes when one is not prepared. It comes sometimes in unexpected ways. It comes in illnesses. It comes in disease. It comes in accidents. It comes by design. It comes through the actions of those possessed by the suggestions of demons who kill without any forethought or remorse. And sometimes it comes through a move of God who allows nature to take its course. Yet we are not prepared and find death unexpected.
The medical miracles of our modern times imply to us that we will live forever. With time we will be able to cure diseases. With time we will be able to repair broken limbs and hearts and replace organs. With time man may be able to live eternally. Yet death comes and man can not stop its progress. Christ has given his disciples spiritual principals by which to do battle. He has told them not to be afraid of one who can kill the body and not the soul. Will you believe in Christ and prepare yourself for the coming of death? Are you afraid of those who would kill the body? Christ tells us not to!!!
