5/15/2019
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In the modern “church” there is very little
if any preaching on the subject of “Godly Fear” even though is so prevalent
through the Old and New Testament. The PROPER fear of God has been undermined
by mankind’s creation of a god that does not exist yet they severe that god
anyway. Most of the god’s worshiped by mankind today are those made in the
image or likeness and form of man. In Romans 1:24-25 the Apostle Paul tells us: “Therefore God gave them over in the
lusts of their own hearts to [sexual] impurity, so that their bodies would be
dishonored among them [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin], because
[by choice] they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served
the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” Romans 1:24-25
Athletes, movie stars, recording artists, and other forms
of heroes are elevated, adored and used as examples of a successful life to be
emulated {creating in them an idol situation which is actually creating a FALSE
god}. The truth is, the thought of fear and the consequences of answering to a
Holy God for our actions has been compromised and has been diminished by FALSE
PREACHERS in the pulpits of America’s MEGA CHURCHES preaching whatever tickles
the ears of the audience.
For the time will
come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s
truth]; but wanting to have
their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for
themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own
desires and to support the
errors they hold, and will turn their ears away from the truth
and will wander off into myths and
man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable]. 2 Timothy 4:3-4
When people no longer want to hear the TRUTH from God’s
Word opting for short sermons that make them feel good, they fall into a FALSE
sense of peace that leads them to deny God’s place in their life ultimately
leading to their destruction. All this “make me feel good” preaching is
producing ignorant people who have no more knowledge of the TRUTH.
The [reverent] fear
of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly
awesome] is the beginning and
the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], and the knowledge of the Holy One is
understanding and spiritual
insight. Proverbs 9:10
There are those today that look at God as One in whom
they can believe or ignore anytime they choose. All this does is create a god
that NO ONE will feel they need to fear. Again, there is wisdom in a Godly
fear.
God honored Abraham for his obedience in Genesis 22:12 because Abraham proved to God that he FEARED Him and wanted to be an obedient follower.
The Lord said, “Do not reach out [with the
knife in] your hand against the boy, and do nothing to [harm] him; for now I
know that you fear God [with reverence and profound respect], since you have
not withheld from Me your son, your only son [of promise].” Genesis 22:12
Ultimately it comes down to a person’s concept of God. A person can chose to believe in God and His
Word taking the narrow path to everlasting life that is not easy or he/she can
ignore the fact that God exists taking the wide path which is easy and leads to
destruction.
Matthew 7:13-14 - Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad and
easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many
who enter through it. But
small is the gate and narrow and
difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.
Matthew 10:28 - Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but
cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and
body in hell.
Revelation 15:4 - “Who will not
fear [reverently] and glorify Your name, O Lord [giving You honor and praise in
worship]? For You alone are holy; For all the nations shall
come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts [Your just decrees and judgments] have been revealed and displayed.”
"What does
it mean to have the fear of God?"
For the ones who chose NOT to believe
{unbeliever}, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal
death {damnation}, which means being eternally separated from God {Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31}. For those who chose to believe the fear of God is a reverence of
God. In Hebrews 12 we find a really good description of this reverence and awe of God.
Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be
shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence
and awe; for our God is [indeed] a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29
Until
we understand who God is and develop reverence {fear} for Him, we cannot
possess true wisdom. True wisdom then, comes from understanding who God is and
that He is holy, just, and righteous. Those who have opted to NOT believe in
God are considered arrogant fools because they despise wisdom, instruction and
self-discipline.
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding
Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and
the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But
arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline. Proverbs 1:7
We find in Deuteronomy 10 that the fear of God is actually the basis
for walking in His ways, serving Him, and even loving Him.
And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear
[and worship] the Lord your God [with awe-filled reverence and profound
respect], to walk [that is, to live each and every day] in all His ways and to
love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with
all your soul [your choices, your thoughts, your whole being], and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I am commanding
you today for your good? Deuteronomy 10:12-13
You shall fear [and worship] the Lord your God [with awe-filled reverence
and profound respect]; you shall serve Him and cling to Him [hold tightly to
Him, be united with Him], and you shall swear [oaths] by His name {Jesus
actually did away with swearing oaths Matthew 5:33-35}. He is your praise and glory; He is your God, who has done for you these great and
awesome things which you have seen with your own eyes. Deuteronomy 10:20-21
The fear of God cannot be reduced to
“respecting” Him as some believers have sought to do. Respect of God is
included in the concept of fearing God, but there is more to it than that. A
biblical fear of God {for the believer} includes understanding how much God
abhors sin and also fearing His judgment on sin even though you’re a believer.
Understanding that God will discipline those He loves does not make it any less
fearful for the believer. We should fear His discipline and at the same time
seek to live our lives in such a way that pleases Him so we do not have to be
disciplined.
You
have not yet struggled to the point of shedding blood in your striving against
sin; and you have forgotten the divine word of encouragement which is addressed
to you as sons,
“My son, do not
make light of the discipline of the Lord, And do not lose heart and give up when you are corrected
by Him; For the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He
loves,
And He punishes
every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].”
You must submit to [correction for the purpose of]
discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons; for what son is there whom
his father does not discipline? Now if you are exempt from correction and without discipline, in which all
[of God’s children] share, then you are illegitimate children and not sons [at
all]. Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we
submitted and respected them
[for training us]; shall we not much more willingly submit to the Father of
spirits, and live [by learning from His discipline]? For our earthly fathers
disciplined us for only a short time as seemed best to them; but He disciplines us for our good, so that
we may share His holiness. For the time being no discipline brings joy, but
seems sad and painful; yet to
those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of
righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks
conformity to God’s will and purpose]. Hebrews 12:4-11
As believers we have no
reason to be scared of God. God has given His promise to us that nothing can
separate us from His love {Romans 8:38-39}. He has also promised the He will never
leave us or forsake us {Hebrews 13:5}. Fearing God
means having such a reverence for Him that it improves the way we live our
lives through respecting Him, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshipping
Him in awe.
A healthy “fear of
God” should be based on the understanding of these three aspects of
God’s character:
1.
His Holiness
We must recognize that God {YHWH} is in no
way flawed. Nor does He make mistakes. Finally everything He decides to do is
pure, good and right {Jeremiah 9:23-24}.
·
He will
punish those who refuse to repent {Romans 2:5-11}.
2.
His Authority
There is NO one to tell God what to do.
There is NOTHING beyond His jurisdiction.
·
He is the
only one with the power of life and death {Deuteronomy 32:39}.
3.
His Wisdom
God is all-knowing and all-wise {Isaiah 40:12-31}.
·
He is the
only one who knows what is best for each of us {Psalm 139}.
People who have a
healthy fear of God will generally display these five characteristics according
to the Word of God:
1. Take spiritual growth seriously
So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my
instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my
absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it
to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and
trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything
that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. For it is [not your
strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to
work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and
the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13
2. Take God’s Word seriously
“For all these things My hand has made, So all these things came into being [by
and for Me],” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look [graciously], to
him who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who [reverently] trembles at My
word and honors My commands. Isaiah 66:2
But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and
continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the
word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound
reasoning contrary to the truth]. James 1:22
3. Trust God’s wisdom
Trust in and
rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and
acknowledge and recognize Him
and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from
evil. Proverbs 3:5-7
4. Share Christ with others
Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord [and
understand the importance of obedience and worship], we persuade people [to be
reconciled to Him]. But we are plainly known to God [He knows everything about
us]; and I hope that we are plainly known also in your consciences [your
God-given discernment]. 2 Corinthians 5:11
5.
Hate sin just as God does
The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the Lord includes
the hatred of evil; Pride
and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted
mouth, I hate. Proverbs 8:13
How many of these five characteristics are
you going to ask God to help you do better?
As for me, I will be asking Him to help
improve all five of these in my life.
Forever in Christ Jesus Service,
Scriptures
about Godly Fear
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