C
carmenp1
Guest
Good morning Gary,
No, that isn’t the truth. The fear of death is the conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit. John 16:8 “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement”. There is the crux of the problem. Are those who fear saved? Anyone who is in a state of sin has good reason to fear. This scripture explains it a little. 1John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment”
If they are not saved, how does one get saved? Romans 10:9 “If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from death, you will be saved. For it is by our faith that we are put right with God, it is by our confession that we are saved.” “Everyone who calls out to the Lord for help will be saved”
The reference to confession is our acceptance and declaration to God that Jesus took our place on the cross. Romans 10:8 “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him with not be put to shame” Romans 10:16 “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
So why are so many of those who go to mass still in fear? Have they missed the freedom from fear God has provided? Ephesians 1:7 “For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven.” Romans 6:22 “But now you have been set free from sin and are the slaves of God. Your gain is a life fully dedicated to Him, and the result is eternal life”
Do they depend on their own works, thinking they can do something to pay for their own sins? Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it” God tells us how to go to Him.
Have they tried to go to Him some other way? John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”
I made my confession of faith in September, 1988. I prayed something like this, once.
Dear Jesus,
I admit that I am a sinner. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins. Forgive me my sins and come into my heart right now. Help me to turn from my sins and to live for You from this day on. In Jesus name.
I prayed with conviction, from my heart. In the days and weeks that followed, I knew that my life had changed, radically. I had changed. The weight of sin, like a great burden was gone. I was hungry to know God. I read my bible and for the first time, it made sense. The conflict that I battled with every time I tried to read my bible, was no more. I prayed and there was a witness in my heart that God heard me and He was my Father. Romans 8:16 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God” This I have seen God do throughout my 24 years in knowing God. It doesn’t matter how bad the situation is, God always, always turns it for good, for my good. I trust God from experience. From seeing Him do what His Word says He will do.
That day in Sept 1988, when I gave my life to Christ, I no longer feared death. If I am saved, why would I still fear death? I didn’t just say to myself, oh great, I am saved now I don’t have to be afraid to die. It was the result of believing that the blood Jesus shed for my sins was sufficient. It is His righteousness that He has imputed to me that makes me right with God. My righteousness is like a filthy rag.
Paul did not fear death. Philipians 1:23 “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.” This is what everyone, who has been made right with God, experiences. If anyone doesn’t have this, the fear of God’s judgement is upon them. The conviction of the Holy Spirit testifying that they are in a state of sin. Separated from God.
To die in this state will mean they face God as their judge; not as their Saviour.
Carmen
