The Difference
But as for the cowards and the ignoble and the contemptible and the cravenly lacking in courage and the cowardly submissive, and as for the unbelieving and faithless, and as for the depraved and defiled with abominations, and as for murderers and the lewd and adulterous and the practicers of magic arts and the idolaters (those who give supreme devotion to anyone or anything other than God) and all liars (those who knowingly convey untruth by word or deed)--[all of these shall have] their part in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone. This is the second death.
Revelation 21:8 Amplified Bible
The King James Version translation starts this verse with these five words; “But the fearful, and unbelieving…” These descriptors are powerful and specific. The sad reality is that for the most part, these attributes are valid for most who claim to be Christian. This is readily and easily discerned by simply listening to what is being said.
Fear finds is strength in the unknown, uncertain and indiscernible. Eliminate these and fear becomes non-existent. We are disarmed, disadvantaged and disabled by our ignorance. The Lord Jesus stated in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.” In John 8:31 and 32 Jesus also stated, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Truth is what liberates us from fear. The entrance of truth eliminates the unknown, removes the confusion of uncertainty and makes plain all that which was indistinct and indiscernible. The Lord in the book of the prophet Hosea stated. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
Unbelief is an insulting disregard to the word, promise and person of the Almighty. How can we trust a God that we don’t know? The same hold true in relationships. Can we really trust someone that we don’t know? Unbelief feeds on distrust. Distrust is destroyed by fidelity. God is eternally faithful. How can we come to know the fidelity of God without developing a meaningful relationship with our heavenly Father?
Let’s take it another step further. John’s epistle states that there is no fear in love; but perfect love cast out fear. Paul in Galatians stated that faith works by love and in Corinthians he states that love never fails. Following ceremony, ritual and rule of traditional will never do anything to develop trust or help us to understand the fidelity of God our Father.
Agape, the God kind of love that never fails, cast out fear and that is the ceaseless force that relentlessly drives tenacious faith; has to be developed and cultivated within us. This kind of love that will not be denied, intimidate or shaken come hell or high water is birthed within us through earnest pursuit and hunger to know the Lord on an intimately personal level. This is the factor that distinguishes the godly from the fearful and unbelieving. This is where the Lord in His awesome goodness it taking us.
Enjoy the journey! Amen!
Apostle S. Louis Johnson
Revelation 21:8 Amplified Bible
The King James Version translation starts this verse with these five words; “But the fearful, and unbelieving…” These descriptors are powerful and specific. The sad reality is that for the most part, these attributes are valid for most who claim to be Christian. This is readily and easily discerned by simply listening to what is being said.
Fear finds is strength in the unknown, uncertain and indiscernible. Eliminate these and fear becomes non-existent. We are disarmed, disadvantaged and disabled by our ignorance. The Lord Jesus stated in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.” In John 8:31 and 32 Jesus also stated, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Truth is what liberates us from fear. The entrance of truth eliminates the unknown, removes the confusion of uncertainty and makes plain all that which was indistinct and indiscernible. The Lord in the book of the prophet Hosea stated. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
Unbelief is an insulting disregard to the word, promise and person of the Almighty. How can we trust a God that we don’t know? The same hold true in relationships. Can we really trust someone that we don’t know? Unbelief feeds on distrust. Distrust is destroyed by fidelity. God is eternally faithful. How can we come to know the fidelity of God without developing a meaningful relationship with our heavenly Father?
Let’s take it another step further. John’s epistle states that there is no fear in love; but perfect love cast out fear. Paul in Galatians stated that faith works by love and in Corinthians he states that love never fails. Following ceremony, ritual and rule of traditional will never do anything to develop trust or help us to understand the fidelity of God our Father.
Agape, the God kind of love that never fails, cast out fear and that is the ceaseless force that relentlessly drives tenacious faith; has to be developed and cultivated within us. This kind of love that will not be denied, intimidate or shaken come hell or high water is birthed within us through earnest pursuit and hunger to know the Lord on an intimately personal level. This is the factor that distinguishes the godly from the fearful and unbelieving. This is where the Lord in His awesome goodness it taking us.
Enjoy the journey! Amen!
Apostle S. Louis Johnson
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