Luke 12:4-5

"And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him."
Luke 12:4-5


Often in this life we look at death as the ultimate terror.  We don't want to die, or see others die.  We as a society spend a LOT of effort and time trying to avoid death.  So it is kind of a weird spin on things when God tells us to not be afraid of people who kill.  I really like the idea that it is only killing our body, and that what makes us ourselves is untouchable by the bad guys.  ... Probably understandable if we are still going to be a little afraid of serial killers, but the point is mainly symbolic.  Spiritual death is a LOT more scary than physical death.  Death vs Hell.  Death is temporary.  Hell is less so.  Christ offers to save us from both, but overcoming physical death is a lot easier.  Overcoming spiritual death is trickier because of free agency, which God respects as inviolate.  We have to walk away from Hell ourselves.... we have to make the effort, to repent and to change and to learn.  God will help us, but he won't force us.  Today, let's remember that this life isn't all that matters.  Let's do what we can to avoid Hell. :)  Let's repent, and get back on track... and be afraid of falling back into bad habits.