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by Sandy Shaw
In Luke Chapter 12, Jesus Christ is teaching us and drawing our attention to hazards and pitfalls which could confront us as we make our ways through life
If the first hazard is hypocrisy, the second is fear. O how fear can prevent us from travelling along the Christian way. Fear can paralyse our words and our deeds. Fear can grip us and get a hold of us, and prevent us from doing what Jesus wants us to do.
Jesus deals with the fear of men by saying, "The worst thing people can do to you is kill you." What will people say? What will folk think? How will they regard me now that I have come to Jesus Christ and been born again - baptised in water and baptised in the Holy Spirit? O, I'll cool it. I'll play it low-key - all because I have a fear of what others may think or say.
What is the cure for fear of men? Is there an answer? Get a FEAR OF GOD!
The cure for a small fear is to get a bigger fear. "Don't be afraid of men - all they can do is kill you - and if you believe in Jesus, all they can do is usher you into His Presence. Fear God - He has that power to cast you into hell.
Remember now what people say to us at times – “Just stick to the words and teaching of Jesus”.
In verse 6,7, we read of how God cares for His people - 5 sparrows are sold for 2 pence. They were only a penny a pair, and one is thrown in free, and yet, God does not forget a single sparrow.
Do you ever feel like just the one thrown in free - of little value? No - He cares. God is so concerned about all the little details in the lives of His servants.
Verse 8. Jesus says, “Be prepared to admit openly, that you belong to ME.” Say openly that you belong to Jesus - and be known for belonging to Jesus. It is not always easy, but it is necessary. And nothing tests our faith and commitment to Jesus Christ more than the opposition we face from men - at work - at home - outside.
Our faith can be tested in sorts of situations even when we do not know it is being tested. But Jesus says - If you will not acknowledge Me before men - then I will not be able to say much in your favour before the Father. Yes, which words of Jesus are we going to stick to?
Then Jesus says, If anyone speaks against Me it can be forgiven - if it is confessed it can be forgiven - if repentance is real it can be dealt with. But if we speak against the Holy Spirit - and what He is doing and saying - and how He is working and moving in the world - that is really serious - the result can be hardness of heart and coldness - a heart which is totally closed to God.
Verse 11. When you are on trial for your faith - not if, but when - when you are wrongly arrested for your faith in Jesus - when you are in a tight spot because of your faith in ME - the Holy Spirit will give you the right words. This is very true.
Peter always had the right word when he was on trial for his faith in Jesus Christ.
So did beloved Paul. They faced many trials. Jesus says in this verse - DO NOT WORRY, and that is why you never see a Christian worrying! Is that true? If not, why not?
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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