Dear Church Family – 

“Do you not even fear God?”  ,During our Good Friday Service, Pastor Phil read scripture from Luke 23 (verses 39-43).  It was about the two thieves on the crosses on either side of Jesus.  “One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him saying, “Are You not the Christ?  Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  And we indeed suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”

Pastor Phil continued saying there is power in forgiveness.  The world, the natural man says, “I want to punish”; “I want revenge”.  Jesus was in human form, therefore He could have given into the temptation to punish and not forgive.  But He sought and chose to do the Father’s will.  He saw the power of His blood redeeming man – He saw the power of forgiveness. 

The first thief was taunting Him, much like the enemy tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden.  The world says – use your own power, don’t deny yourself, live for yourself.  The second thief brought clarity – Do you not even fear God?  

It got me thinking about our responses to hard times inlife.  Are we yelling at God, hurling abuse saying, “Hey God, I thought You loved me?  Yeah? Then what’s this?” Or, “Hey God, if nothing is impossible for You, why don’t You (do this, fix that, heal this, etc.) then get me off the hook?”  

Right then we can insert the second thief’s response – Do you not even fear God?  To talk to Him with such disrespect and arrogance. To not have the humility to revere Him and His majesty.  

Are we greater than God?  Are we holding offenses, and justifying or denying that we are? Do we not even fear Him?

We are all sinners saved by grace, because of the choice Jesus made.  The choice to forgive, with the help of the Holy Spirit, can bring life to others and to ourselves.  It will bring freedom and peace.  Which voice will you listen to?