Don't Be Afraid Of Those Who Kill the Body But Cannot Kill the Soul - Matthew 10:26-30

Matthew 10:26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 

Though in the short term the disciples may suffer at the hands of their persecutors, in the long term God would vindicate their cause.  Though the truth may be covered up or suppressed for a while, it will come out in the end.  Sometimes this justice can be found on earth and at other times it will be found in heaven. Regardless the truth will triumph over evil.  

27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 

The great thing about the gospel of Jesus is that there is nothing secret about it.  In some other religions only the top people in the religion are able to access secret doctrines.  The Mormon church is one example of this.  The authority in the Mormon church is derived from the Bible AND the Book of Mormon and other secretive manuscripts.  Only those in the upper eschelons are allowed to read those documents. 

The word for "occult", where we get our term "cult" means "secret or hidden".    

The gospel of the Christian faith is by nature public. After all the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the central tenets of the Christian, were all part of public history.  No one doubts that Jesus lived and was crucificed and died on the cross.  Where people differ is in regard to the resurrection.  But even in the doctrine of the resurrection there are no secrets.  Each of the gospels recounts the story and truth of the resurrection.  And specifically how the disciples, who had witnessed the Risen Lord. went to their deaths proclaiming the literal truth of the resurrection. 

28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 

"God is the one to fear, not the men who persecute the followers of Jesus. The worst they can do is to destroy the body, but being a coward before God can have eternal consequences." Guzik

"There is no cure for the fear of man like the fear of God.” Spurgeon

This verse also proves that the body is mortal, but the soul is immortal.  The soul is everything about us that is not material.  It is the real essence of who you really are.  Your feelings, your thoughts, your beliefs and values, and the experiences and people who have shaped your life.  

Though someone can kill you and your body will die, nobody can kill your soul. which will go on either in union with God, or separated from him for eternity in hell.   

A human can take another human's life, but not their soul.  The soul of the Christian is inhabited by the Holy Spirit, who is also eternal and immortal.  

As the Proverbs say, "The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom."  Proverbs 9:10

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 

When someone is being persecuted or even suffering for following Jesus, they might be inclined to think that God doesn't really care about them.  God cares for a sparrow which is not made in God's image, how much more will He care for us who He calls His sons and daughters. 

30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

"God knows us better than our friends know us; better than our husband or wife knows us; He knows us better than we know ourselves. We don’t know how many hairs are numbered on our head. The God who knows us so well will take care of us." (Guzik)

Where do you need courage in your life right now?  What do you fear?  Who do you fear?  Does your fear of God put all other types of fear into perspective?  

Verse of the Day:  "Perfect love casts out all fear!" 1 John 4:18