Where In The Bible Will I Find:

That The Fearful Will Be Lost?

The Word of God promises no reward for those who in FEAR turn their backs on Christ and his word. Concerning the lost, John recorded, "But the FEARFUL, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8). In the number of sins mentioned of these lost ones, the first is "THE FEARFUL!" It may be that many preachers, elders, deacons, and Bible class teachers fall into this category! Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels" (Mk. 8:38).

Jesus referred to some who though believing in Christ, would not confess Him, because of their FEAR of being "put out of the synagogue," or as it might be today their denomination (Jn. 12:42). If "faith only" could have saved, it would have saved these! (Cf. James 2:24). However he said they would not be saved, because they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God, AND IN FEAR WOULD NOT OBEY!

The Bible makes it evident that all who would be saved must make a stand for and with the Truth, and stand there! Paul charged the Ephesian church to, "take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore..." (Eph. 6:13-17). Not only then must one embrace the Truth in obedience to be saved (Mk. 16:15-16), but also must continue in "the love of the Truth, that they might be saved" (II Thess. 2:10).

About preaching Paul wrote, "For though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe (misery, shame, destruction GC) is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel” (I Cor. 9:16). There are those who at one time were willing to accept and defend the Truth, but when tested they became FEARFUL and fell away (II Pet. 2:20-22). Paul wrote the Corinthian church of Christ saying, "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit (act) you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity" (I Cor. 16:13). "...The Lord shall judge his people. It is A FEARFUL THING to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:30-31).

--Gary Colley