While the Bible tells us we can be saved by the grace (undeserved kindness) of God, through faith in Christ alone (Eph 2:8-9, Tit 2:11-14,3:4-7), it also tells us that we should always hold on to a healthy fear of the Lord, even as believers (verses below).
Why is this?? Are we supposed to fear the same God who reached down to save us, out of His tremendous love for us? And what does this mean, exactly, to “fear” the Lord??
My friends, let me ask you this, even though “God is love” (1Jn 4:8,16), should we ever stop fearing the One who created the entire universe by the breathe of His mouth?!
If we saw Him today in all His glory, would we not have to fall on our faces, as did everyone in the Bible that got a glimpse of Him?! (Matt 17:6, Rev 1:17)
The Lord our God, the Creator of the universe, is so GRAND and so HUGE,… and so RIGHTEOUS and so HOLY… that we would be very wise to maintain a great awe and reverence for Him.
It would simply be wrong, and even arrogant, to not do so!
And the Bible tells us how wise it is to fear the Lord, as well as being advice that’s even addressed to His children (those saved by grace, adopted in Christ Jesus).
Here’s some wisdom verses about the fear of the Lord found in the Old Testament (and there are many more):
Ps 19:9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
Ps 34:11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Ps 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
Prov 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Prov 14:27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.
Prov 15:33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
Even the Messiah (Jesus Christ) was predicted to walk in the fear of the Lord!
Isa 11:2-3a And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
And here’s some “surprising” passages in the New Testament, even though we believers are now under grace and no longer under the Law (Rom 6:14, Gal 5:18).
In Matt 10:28, the Lord Jesus tells us: And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
2 Cor 5:11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.
2 Cor 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Eph 5:21 submitting to one another out of reverence (fear) for Christ.
1 Peter 2:17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Now, I’d certainly recommend going back and reading each verse in context… what a profitable exercise that will be.
But suffice it to say, the fear of the Lord is a good and wise and right thing. And it’s the beginning of true wisdom. It protects us, even!
By rightly fearing the Lord, we become humble enough to follow Him and glorify Him in our lives.
And here’s something else for us remember…
The Lord disciplines those whom He loves (Heb 12:5-8, Rev 3:19), His children even. And no one knows how to discipline more effectively than the omniscient Creator of the universe!
That should give us the healthy fear of a Father who loves us and is not afraid to use the rod on us (Prov 3:12, 13:24) for our own benefit and protection.
Please, continue to read your Bibles in context, and come to your own conclusions how the fear of God comes into play in your relationship with God.
I leave you with this “life-saving” verse once again:
Ps 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
In the love of Christ,
Scott
