
This is a reason not to give into the fears that living in this worldly realm generate. God doesn’t want us to be afraid. God wants us to trust Him and His plan. God is in control, no matter how things appear so being as “wise as serpents, but gentle as doves” is important.
There are the good intentioned who mean well with horrific warnings of what’s ahead for the unbelieving and the Christian. Provoking fear and worry can’t be the will of God for any of us though; God prefers that we build one another up, that we encourage each other. The bible tells us to think on good, edifying, peaceful things. We are not to worry.
Certainly the unbeliever has reasons to be concerned, regardless of their feelings to the contrary. No matter what they may think, time is not on their side, based upon how things look for our planet; still we cannot scare or force The Lord God on anyone–nor should we. We share with whom we are led to share. God draws all to Him as He desires.
Pushing and regaling people with horror stories from the bible creates rebellion and anger in others. It is an unproductive, unfruitful way to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Trying to scare God’s people into seeing things in a way that brings forth fear and anxiety is not Christ-like; instead it is controlling, demanding, without respect, and ignorant of the basic rights of others. There is no love in this kind of behavior. The bible tells us how to recognize love. Fear and the inciting of fear, guilt, or shame is not love.
Instead show love. Show Jesus. Show God.
13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Footnotes:
1 Corinthians 13:1-13


































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