"Therefore, since the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He likewise took part in the same, that through death He might destroy the one holding the power of death, that is, the devil, and might set free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives."1
The Bible tells us that the sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law.2 This word for sting, also refers to an iron goad, for urging on oxen, horses and other beasts of burden. So is man is urged on by sin? like an oxen loaded down with burden. If the goad of death is sin then sin urges on death. Sin entered the world by one man, and by sin death also, it is passed on to all men.3 In Christ death has no sting nor victory.4
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
If the sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the Law then the Law gives death its sting. If the Law gives death its sting and slavery is the fear of death then the power of the law is the fear of death. The Law produces slaves by the fear of death. If the Law gives sin a sting and Death has a sting because of sin and Slavery is fear of death then a slave fears death because of sin exposed by the law? The Law produces people fearful of death, but "through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."5 I think many understand this fear of death, oh what an opportunity to give them power over fear.
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."9
People who fear are in torment. It is not fear that produces life. No, it is the power of eternal life that breaks the power of death and its sting. I will trust in the word of God. Jesus came full of truth and grace. God sent his first born Son into the world not to condemn it but to save it.6 His mercy triumphs His judgment. He came to bring eternal life, thus it is one purpose of the Church today,7 to point people to this eternal life, the Son who was lifted up for salvation.8 Like in the wilderness, because of sin the serpents are biting, Jesus was lifted up to give life. Sin is poisonous and it bites people, and enslaves. In truth snake bitten people need Jesus not more fear of death. The sin of unbelief, is what keeps people from looking unto Jesus.8 Lets help them believe. God sent His Son out of great love for us and we have His Spirit which is not a Spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."8
"God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."11
If God set forth an example of love, then how can I not do the same. Should I use fear, judgement, and condemnation to bring people to Him? A slave is in bondage to sin and to the fear of death. Notice it is not just sin but the power of death that enslaves him, it has him in his grip, the devil himself seeks to destroy him, does he need fear or power over fear? Am I to use fear to free him from the same power that holds him? fear is a power, a power is needed to free one power from another power. Jesus said, a house divided will not stand. There is a power over death, Christ came to do such. The power of death will not be overcome by the power of fear and its spirit, no, but by the power of the Spirit of the eternal, given by a loving God. The power of eternal life frees from the power of death.
If God set forth an example of love, then how can I not do the same. Should I use fear, judgement, and condemnation to bring people to Him? A slave is in bondage to sin and to the fear of death. Notice it is not just sin but the power of death that enslaves him, it has him in his grip, the devil himself seeks to destroy him, does he need fear or power over fear? Am I to use fear to free him from the same power that holds him? fear is a power, a power is needed to free one power from another power. Jesus said, a house divided will not stand. There is a power over death, Christ came to do such. The power of death will not be overcome by the power of fear and its spirit, no, but by the power of the Spirit of the eternal, given by a loving God. The power of eternal life frees from the power of death.
Jesus came to "destroy the one holding the power of death, that is, the devil, and set free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives."
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