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What do we really need to fear?
pastor corner

Recently, there has been quite a bit of fear concerning the confirmed Ebola case on U.S. soil.
I am sure there are some who fear losing their lives if this horrible disease ever spreads. Then, there is the fear that terrorism someday will come to our country again and bring death and destruction. The truth of the matter is that we do need to do everything we can to keep both from happening.
For some Christians, there is the fear of persecution coming to this country on a large scale, bringing hardship and even death. In the Bible, Jesus tells us that we shouldn’t fear those who can only kill the body. He says in Luke 12:4, “I say to you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that, have no more that they can do.”
He says that there is one whom we should fear more than anything else in this world — none other than God himself. Look what is written in verse 5: “But I will warn you whom to fear: Fear the one who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!”
God is the only one who gets to decide who ends up in heaven or hell.
There is good news. We don’t have to go around with fear in our lives wondering where we will end up. The writer John tells us, in 5:13, that we can have assurance and know where we are going. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
In other words, we can know we are going to heaven because we have chosen to trust in Jesus Christ. The truth is that our heavenly Father doesn’t take pleasure in sending anyone to hell, but rather takes pleasure in granting people eternal life. We find this in Luke 12:32, where Jesus said, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
If you have not opened up your life to Jesus Christ, I encourage you to do so. The results will be a life of peace, assurance and hope no matter what comes your way.

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