Who among us does not fear being killed? As human beings, we are created to survive and even to fight for life when necessary. It thus follows that we naturally fear anything that threatens our existence. Yet, Jesus gives a bold assurance: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell.” Reading this, many of us admittedly find scant comfort in the idea of being killed in the body but not the soul. For, isn’t being humanly alive the whole point? The answer is no. Because from the perspective of faith and salvation, the soul is more important than the body. Only the soul can go to heaven and thus gain eternal life; the physical body is time-limited with an “expiry date,” so to speak, while the soul is everlasting. Yet, how many of us fail to realise this and put all energy and passion instead into living here on earth, forgetting to prepare the soul for where it needs to go? How many of us truly fear God Who can destroy both body and soul in hell?

“The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” (Pr 9:10).

This is not the terrifying fear that we have of being violated and killed by human enemies. Instead, this fear refers to deep reverence, respect, and submission to God that are the foundational starting points for true understanding and a well-lived life as a follower of Jesus.