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"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10)
When we think of fear it is usually in a negative light, that is, the fear of death, the fear of catching a germ or virus that may lead to pain or death, or fear can be apprehension. When we talk about fear in relationship to God, we should think in terms of a reverential awe towards God. Today, the word "awesome" is used so much that the meaning has been diminished or lost, so how about using the word "respect." We should hold a deep respect for God.
We should respect or hold God in reverential awe, because He made the whole universe and everything in it. If we understand that, then we will respect our Maker. We will do His will; we will obey His commandments. That is why it is so important to realize that Genesis is true and to realize that evolution is a religion that denies the existence of God.
Years ago, it was common to refer to somebody as a God-fearing individual. You would read about it in an article about somebody or in an obituary. That meant that they were upright and honored God. They upheld Christian principles like the Ten Commandments, and probably had a personal relationship with God through belief in Jesus Christ. Now you hear or read "God-fearing" very little, if at all. Instead, we see bumper stickers or window decals saying "No fear." That phrase is usually on a car with occupants that display very little respect for God, authority, or other people. They are probably proud of their ability to conquer anything or not worry about anything. It is almost the attitude of eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we shall die. (Isaiah 22:13b, paraphrased.) People may have "no fear" about what other people may think, but when it comes to death, I think these people have fear. "There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12
"But perfect love drives out fear." (1 John 4:18) Only God represents Perfect Love.
How can we make sure we have a fear of the Lord?
We can have a fear of the Lord by worshipping Him.
"You cannot worship the Lord on Sunday unless you worship Him all the days of the week," said the great theologian, A. W. Tozer. Also, we need to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Jesus said, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and his worshippers must worship in Spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24) Truth is associated with Christ in the Gospel of John.
We need a proper idea of who God is.
Words can fail us in trying to describe God. He is the Creator of the whole universe. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present, and so much more. God is perfect. God is holy and cannot tolerate sin. We cannot approach God through our own efforts, because we are imperfect and are sinners.
We need a personal relationship with God.
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1). God tells us through the Bible that we have "all sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). He also said, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23). "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8). "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9). "For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13). "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9).
We want to please God. To please God you will want to keep His commandments and the greatest one is "Love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37).
The only way to have a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe is by accepting Jesus Christ, His Son, as a free gift. If you haven't done that, do it now! Don't wait! Then you need not have a fear of death and the future, but a respectful fear of the Lord.
By John P. Nuckols
If you have made this commitment, I'd sure like to hear about it! Email Daniel Nuckols at: ross{at}rossolson.org
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