The Fear Of The Lord
This week, I'd like to take a look at a topic which can, at times, be hard for us to understand, due to the fact that it has multiple meanings and is filled with paradox. The fear of the Lord is a subject which can be interpreted in different ways. Its meaning can change, dependent upon the context, and there are many verses which refer to the fear of the Lord in various ways. We'll take a look at several of these verses in an attempt to come to terms with exactly what it means to have the fear of the Lord, and what benefits we obtain from it.
The first thing that we need to grasp is the fact that it is God's desire for us to have understanding and wisdom. Psalms 111:110 tells us..."The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:
a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." We also read in Proverbs 1:7..."The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." The importance of wisdom and understanding in our life simply cannot be overestimated. We are to value it above earthly possessions, and seek it diligently, as a treasure. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 8:11..."For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." He goes on to write in Proverbs 15:16..."Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith."
So, what is the fear of the Lord? Is it fear in the traditional sense of the word, or does it refer to something entirely different? The word "fear" is also used in the bible to convey a sense of awe, or an attitude of reverence. I'd like to suggest that it is actually a combination of the two. This may seem to be a contradiction in terms, but it is actually more of a paradox than a contradiction. Those who seek to put God first, knowing that He loves them, while at the same time, understanding that their eternal destiny is dependent upon His mercy and grace, will have wisdom as their reward. Conversely, those who seek only for the fulfillment of their own pleasures, and have no sense of who God is, or how great His love is for them, will ultimately find themselves empty and unfulfilled. Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:28..."And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." This is more than simply a stern warning given by Jesus, it also serves as a chilling glimpse into the future for the unrepentant sinner. This shows us that the wrath of God is indeed something that we should fear. In Hebrews 10:30-31 we read..."For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." So we see that fear of the Lord in this sense is very real, and is, in fact, necessary, because it leads the sinner to repentance. The fear of the Lord is the first step in the changing of the heart, for without consequences, what would be the motivation for change? Just as children learn rules by discipline, or the fear of it, so we, as God's children, must understand that there are consequences which accompany our actions.
However, God does not want us to live in a state of fear. In fact, there are 365 separate instances throughout the bible in which God specifically tells us not to fear, one for every day of the year. It is not fear in the traditional sense, but rather, a humble attitude of reverence, along with a yearning for wisdom, that God desires from us. We read in Proverbs 2:1-5..."My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures: Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." Simply put, if we have the fear of the Lord, then we will have nothing else to fear.
With these thoughts in mind, let's take a look at 1 John 4:17-19, which looks at fear from a very different perspective..."Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us." This is a beautiful message of love given to John by the Holy Spirit in order to reassure those of us who have given our hearts to Jesus for safekeeping, and trusted in Him for our salvation. We no longer have to be fearful of God's wrath, because we know and believe that it was expended upon the body of Jesus as He hung on the cross. The penalty for our sins was paid in full as all the weight of our iniquity came crashing down upon Jesus as He cried, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" God cannot look upon sin, and in that moment, Jesus became sin on our behalf. He took our sins upon Himself, and the ultimate price was paid as our Savior cried out "IT IS FINISHED!" This is why we no longer have anything to fear. The torment that fear brings is not meant for those who have been made perfect in love, but for those whose hardened hearts must be softened, who must face the fact that there is a heaven, and there is a hell, and that there is an eternal choice which must be made. Fear is for those who have not obeyed the gospel, who have not accepted Jesus and been washed in His blood. For them, yes, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, but for those of us washed in His blood, it is an eternally joyous thing to fall into the arms of a loving Jesus.
The first thing that we need to grasp is the fact that it is God's desire for us to have understanding and wisdom. Psalms 111:110 tells us..."The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:
a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." We also read in Proverbs 1:7..."The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." The importance of wisdom and understanding in our life simply cannot be overestimated. We are to value it above earthly possessions, and seek it diligently, as a treasure. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 8:11..."For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." He goes on to write in Proverbs 15:16..."Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith."So, what is the fear of the Lord? Is it fear in the traditional sense of the word, or does it refer to something entirely different? The word "fear" is also used in the bible to convey a sense of awe, or an attitude of reverence. I'd like to suggest that it is actually a combination of the two. This may seem to be a contradiction in terms, but it is actually more of a paradox than a contradiction. Those who seek to put God first, knowing that He loves them, while at the same time, understanding that their eternal destiny is dependent upon His mercy and grace, will have wisdom as their reward. Conversely, those who seek only for the fulfillment of their own pleasures, and have no sense of who God is, or how great His love is for them, will ultimately find themselves empty and unfulfilled. Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:28..."And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." This is more than simply a stern warning given by Jesus, it also serves as a chilling glimpse into the future for the unrepentant sinner. This shows us that the wrath of God is indeed something that we should fear. In Hebrews 10:30-31 we read..."For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." So we see that fear of the Lord in this sense is very real, and is, in fact, necessary, because it leads the sinner to repentance. The fear of the Lord is the first step in the changing of the heart, for without consequences, what would be the motivation for change? Just as children learn rules by discipline, or the fear of it, so we, as God's children, must understand that there are consequences which accompany our actions.
However, God does not want us to live in a state of fear. In fact, there are 365 separate instances throughout the bible in which God specifically tells us not to fear, one for every day of the year. It is not fear in the traditional sense, but rather, a humble attitude of reverence, along with a yearning for wisdom, that God desires from us. We read in Proverbs 2:1-5..."My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures: Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." Simply put, if we have the fear of the Lord, then we will have nothing else to fear.
With these thoughts in mind, let's take a look at 1 John 4:17-19, which looks at fear from a very different perspective..."Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us." This is a beautiful message of love given to John by the Holy Spirit in order to reassure those of us who have given our hearts to Jesus for safekeeping, and trusted in Him for our salvation. We no longer have to be fearful of God's wrath, because we know and believe that it was expended upon the body of Jesus as He hung on the cross. The penalty for our sins was paid in full as all the weight of our iniquity came crashing down upon Jesus as He cried, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" God cannot look upon sin, and in that moment, Jesus became sin on our behalf. He took our sins upon Himself, and the ultimate price was paid as our Savior cried out "IT IS FINISHED!" This is why we no longer have anything to fear. The torment that fear brings is not meant for those who have been made perfect in love, but for those whose hardened hearts must be softened, who must face the fact that there is a heaven, and there is a hell, and that there is an eternal choice which must be made. Fear is for those who have not obeyed the gospel, who have not accepted Jesus and been washed in His blood. For them, yes, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, but for those of us washed in His blood, it is an eternally joyous thing to fall into the arms of a loving Jesus.
Comments
Post a Comment