There’s a verse of scripture that came to mind when I first began to consider writing this.

( Mark 8:36 )

For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

If you remember it was Herod that orderd all the children killed under the age of two. ( Matthew 2:16 ). He also had John the Baptist killed by beheading him. ( Matthew 14:6-12 ).

I point these things out to paint a much bigger picture. Think about this! Do you think the Herod or any man has the ability to take life? He, ( even as a king ) was greatly deceived! Where do you think all those children and, John the Baptist are today?

He, like any other person can only do what God allows him to do. That includes you and I. I want to show you something about Herod and Jesus Christ. First, of all; do you think any man can take the life of Jesus Christ? Herod thought he could. Look at this:

( Luke 13:31-32 )

The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. ( 32 ) And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day shall I be perfected.

Why would you think that ( the Pharisees ) would desire to warn Jesus Christ about the possiblity of Herod killing him? Actually, they didn’t care if he killed him, their desire was to frighten him into leaving or, simply to stop all he was saying.

This is a spiritual point that many can’t see but, how do you threaten a man that is already dead, with death? I see this as something that we can tie to ( Mark 8:36 ). Many people that call themselves ( Christians ) cling to the life they have here; that, to the point that they will not witness to others. But, what shall it profit? If we are still alive concerning the things of this world, we are not dead in Christ! We are afraid to stand up for Christ because we are afraid of what we will lose here!

Do you realize here, that Jesus Christ called this man ( a fox )? As far as I know, Herod is the only man that Jesus every referred to as an animal. that is, as an individual. He did call a group of people ( vipers ). He said: ( O generation of vipers ) ( Matthew 3:7 ) among other places.

Jesus Christ let these Pharisees and, Herod know in no uncertian terms; you cannot touch me until ( I say ) you can.

Herod, as a king placed himself in a position that no person should ever desire to be! We take the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ and, God the Father very lightly. I want you to know something, without Jesus Christ and, his willingness to die on his cross ( you ) can, at this moment in time call ( hell ) your home. Right this minute, if you can feel the convicting power of the Holy Ghost of God on your heart then, you, my friend are a very blessed person!

That very point means that God the Father is still speaking to you, what a blessing! What happens when the day comes, while you are still living in this world and, you cannot feel that conviction on your heart? That means friend, that you are ( hell bound ) because God is not speaking to you anymore!

Look at this: ( Luke 23:8-9 )

And when Herod saw Jesus he was exceedingly glad: for he was desirious to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. ( 9 ) Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

Can you imagine that? What happens to a man when God will not speak to him anymore? Guess what? ( YOU HAVE YOUR REWARD )! I’m not a betting man but, I’ll bet you that if you could talk to Herod today, he would tell you that if he could go back to the day that Herodias told him she want the head of John the Baptist on a platter, this is what he would say: I’d been better of the kill her and to began my journrey that day with Jesus Christ.

Now, Herod has been in hell for two thousand years or there about and, that completely without hope of ever seeing any change. Many people make fun of people that attempt to cause the Holy Spirit to speak to their hearts, they belittle the very thought of salvation or seeking to walk with Jesus Christ. Be careful, that Spirit you feel moving in your heart, you had better thank God he still speaks to you!

One more verse and I’ll close:

( 2 Corinthians 6:2 )

( For he saith, I have heard thee in a time eccepted, and in the day of salvation have I soccoured thee: behold, now is the eccepted time; behold; noe is the day of salvation. )

Many people assume that they can come to Christ whenever they choose to. However, it takes to convicting power of God on your heart to cause you to even desire salvation. If he is dealing with your heart, don’t put salvation off! He doesn’t promise you that you will ever feel that again! Now! Right now !

Salvation can be yours!

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7