Some are Saved with Fear

Some are Saved with Fear

And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Jude 1:22-23 (KJV)

Scripture tells us that some are better reached by compassion, but today I want to talk about those who are saved by fear, of which I am one. Fear of God is rare these days, even among His people. We all understand why touching a hot stove teaches us the respect of fire more effectively than hours of discussion, yet the 'fire and brimstone' preacher has become a rarity. So I ask, how do we rectify this?

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:  Amos 8:11 (KJV)

The importance of repentance is trivialized in these latter days because the consequences of unrepentance are not taught. There are huge canyons of doctrine missing in the church today, doctrines that were spoken of plainly in days gone by. The gospel has been compromised by being sterilized of unpleasant truths.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 2 Timothy 4:3 (KJV)

The average pew warmer will simply not endure the sound doctrine that stirs up fear or the conscience, instead demanding spiritual "Happy Meals" with little to no spiritual nutrition. As an example; When was the last time you heard a message about Satan? Christians keep falling into Satan's traps precisely because there is little or no teaching on him and his wiles. Why? They don't want to scare anybody?

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11 (KJV)

I submit to you that to a large degree today's church is in fact utterly ignorant of Satan's devices, ignorant of the snares he uses to deceive the world. If Satan is one thing he is consistent. He fools the church with the exact same types of lies as he does the world. Where would our military be if they took this same attitude of keeping their troops ignorant of our enemies? We are finding this out, aren't we? Who really believes that Islam is the 'Religion of Peace©'? Anyone who has a soul knows this is a sham, a mockery of all truth. The only people who believe such tripe are those that are utterly blinded by the Enemy.

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.  Hebrews 6:4-6 (KJV)

As we all should know but is seldom articulated within the body of Christ is the fact that we all must repent. To repent means to change our ways. But some seem to never change their ways, taking the terrible sacrifice of Christ on the cross as some sort of charge card that they never have to pay the minimum balance on, and with no requirements whatsoever. Let me make it perfectly clear, we can in no way shape or form repay this debt of sin. Only Christ's blood can repay this debt, and it cannot be bought or sold. But that is not to say that we play no role in maintaining our salvation. I have written about our role many times, no need to repeat it here.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  Philippians 2:12 (KJV)

Something else I have written about extensively is how we must warn others who are in danger regardless of the reaction we may receive. So the question at hand leads me to the next doctrine that the Laodicean church keeps its sheep ignorant of, the terrible price of not following Christ, Hell. The church needs a fresh revelation of why we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, that Hell awaits those who regard their salvation lightly and how awful a place to end up for eternity!