Tag: helping the tempted
No More Fear of Death!
Scripture reading for December 12th: Hebrews 1-2
“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:1-3a) The letter to the Hebrews was written to Jews who had been saved and became followers of Jesus Christ. They suffered intense persecution, some had their own families disown them, and some were being put to death. The persecution caused some to begin to question their salvation and relationship with Jesus Christ. The writer encouraged these Jews to pay careful attention to the word of God and the truth that had been preached to them. Careful attention would keep them on the narrow path of life.
The writer of Hebrews reminded these believers that the the Son of God had brought the message of salvation to the Jews first. He confirmed it with signs and wonders and miracles. (Hebrews 2:3-4) Jesus was raised to a position of glory and honor after suffering death for everyone. God made the author of their salvation perfect through suffering and He is in the process of perfecting those who follow Jesus as well.
“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– and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14-15) As Christians, we now have no more fear of death. Christ has freed us from that fear by conquering death and the grave. He destroyed the devil and took the keys of death and hell away from him. (Revelation 1:18)
All men have been held by the fear of death because all have sinned and know that death is the penalty for sin. The second death is the real fear because it is appointed to men once to die and then comes the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) Christ took our sins and paid the penalty of death for all who believe on Him. He can help us now because He is our faithful high priest, having offered His own blood for our sins! (Hebrews 2:17-18) What a blessing to be freed from this enslaving fear!