Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (day four)
The ultimate fear is the fear of death. It can cripple our lives…it can impact our decisions…it can paralyze us for action. This fear is used all over the world to persecute the Church. When believers have no fear of death, the persecutors are without influence or power over their lives.
Verse 57 says, “but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We have victory over death and it holds no power of fear in our lives. What a freeing promise! The world cannot understand it. ‘Would be’ martyrs have walked away free because their captors could not process their lack of fear. Those who have died, without fear, have offered a most powerful witness of grace. Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian pastor during communist rule, could not be silenced. He was arrested, and threatened, and tortured, but with no success. The communists could not understand. He had no fear of death…death was a victory for him. Finally, Richard was released from prison because he was winning too many prisoners to the Lord. Truly, our lives are in God’s hand.
