SHARE Magazine April 2017 | Page 25

The reality of spiritual death is not fully experienced until the sinner physically dies; then hell starts knowledge of good and evil yet the Scripture says “all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died.” Genesis 5:5 How was it then, that Adam went on to live and have children for many years after he sinned? It is in this seeming contradiction that we get to understand that true death is not a physical experience. God was right, Adam did die the very day he sinned for that very day he was put out of the garden and fellowship with God was cut off. He experienced spiritual death while still physically alive. True death is separation from God. On the surface it doesn’t sound all that bad especially since we know so many who are living and loving their lives even though they are not in union with God. The truth about being separated from God is not fully experienced until one physically dies; then hell starts. Dead men walking around in living bodies fail to realise that things will drastically change after physical death. A person who is separated from God has no clue the terror that awaits them when they die. There will be “... indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil.” Romans 2:8- 9 In light of this, understand that the fear of God is the healthiest of all healthy fears as it will save us from eternal terror. Fear God, please! “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14-15 Jesus destroyed the devil and released us who believe from the bondage that resulted from the fear of death. Fear of the devil is unhealthy and unnecessary and is the seed bed of superstitions that enslave people for generations. Our God assures us through Isaiah, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 Why fear when God is with us and for us? Paul reminds us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 The Psalmist says, “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.” Psalm 91:5-6 Why should we fear them if they can only kill our bodies but cannot touch our souls that are safely hidden in Christ in God? p By Homer Slack author, preacher, Bible teacher, IT tutor, program- mer & graphic designer Deliverance from Fear Fear of the devil is a wasted emotion for the keys of hell and death have been taken from him. April - June 2017 SHARE | MAGAZINE | 25