Do
we have the fear of the Lord. This is not a fear as in dread. The
correct fear of the lord is to be in awe of the Lord to reverence him.
The
correct fear of God is mentioned a lot of times in the bible especially
in proverbs, and is associated with most if not all the attributes required
by God for salvation.
PROV
1 V 7.
The
fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. But fools despise wisdom
and instruction.
We
have to learn to understand the fear of God. The fear of the lord is linked
with the knowledge of God.
PROV.
2 V 1 - 5.
1My
son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge
of God.
Godly
fear can not be taught by men.
ISA.
29 V 13.
13Wherefore
the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth,
and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from
me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
PROV
. 3 V 7.
7Be
not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Fear
the Lord and depart from evil.
PROV.
8 v 13
13The
fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way,
and the froward mouth, do I hate.
PROV.
9 V 10.
The
fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy
is understanding.
PROV
. 10 V 27.
27The
fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be
shortened.
Those
who fear the Lord will tremble at the word of God.
JER.
5 V 22.
Fear
ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have
placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it
cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they
not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?
JER.
33 V 9.
And
it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the
nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them:
and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity
that I procure unto it.
We
need to fear God, this fear is to be in awe of the great God and to reverence
his very name. Those who fear God will tremble at the mighty power of our
Creator. This fear will come from studying the bible and believing and
obeying God. The correct fear of God cannot be feigned, it will come as
we put our whole life into Gods way of life.
There
is an incorrect fear which will help to put us into the lake of fire. It
is imperative that we understand this fear and overcome it if it grips
us.
REV.
21 V 8.
But
the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers,
and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the
lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
This
fear is tied in with some terrible sins and the end result is the lake
of fire.
Fear
is linked with lack of faith.
MARK
4 V 40.
And
he said unto them, why are ye so fearful?
How is it that ye have no faith?
Fear
is matched with wickedness and slothfulness. Read the parable of the talents
in Matt. 25 v 14 to 30. Especially verses 25 and 26. This person did nothing
with the talent God gave him. He feared to push ahead.
Just
as the Israelites feared to go into the promised land so a fearful person
will fear to follow God to eternal life. Remember the firstfruits are those
who follow Christ where ever he leads. Rev. 14 v 4. If we have been fearful
about obeying God we can repent.
There
are two types of ‘fear of God’
One
fear is to stand in awe of our creator. This fear will cause us to tremble
at the very power of God as revealed in the bible. The correct fear of
God will help us to believe the bible and obey God, regardless of the physical
consequences. With the fear of God we will fear not what man can do.
The
other fear is the exact opposite, this fear will keep us from entering
Gods kingdom. This fear stops us from believing Gods word It must be repented
of.
This
fear will stop us entering Gods kingdom.
We
must not fear to fear God. If God be for us who can be against us. Fear
not what man can do.
Stand
in awe and revere the Great God. This is the correct fear of God. |