I Will Not Fear (2)
The Fear of God
“Jesus Said, But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:5)
Jesus said, “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:5). We fear Covid, we fear attacks on our person, we fear losing our source of income, we fear losing a loved one, we fear condemnation from our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and some fear death. But the one thing we often don’t fear and must, is God.
Stop and think, what one thing is the greatest motivator that keeps the brotherhood in line when it comes to facing life day to day? I believe walking in the fear of God is the greatest deterrent to sin, and the greatest motivation to live godly, holy lives. I hope that the more we study this together in this and following issues will help us to be grateful for the utterance (“the fear of God”). This is absolutely true, and inspiration says walk in the fear of the Lord. But fear must be learned.
When a child is brought into the world, there is no fear in them. When my son Tony was just a young child, we warned him constantly of the dangers of touching the “space heaters” we used to heat our house. But not until he rested both hands squarely on one did he learn fear and that fear kept him from ever going near a hot space heater. Fear must be learned and especially the fear of God. The Lord said, “. . .let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth. . . ” (Deut. 4:10). David said, “. . . listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord” (Psa. 34:11). Fear is not inherent. To fear God, you must be taught. Good news, you don’t have to burn your children so that they will know the fear of the Lord. They will learn if you teach them, and you don’t have to experience Hell’s fire to know you don’t want to be there.
Sadly, many baptized do not fear God. I would only apply this expression to those who are committed, steadfast, and loyal to God. Every local church has members who walk in the fear of God and members who are sporadic, almost casual concerning attendance in worship and Bible study, and in being part of the work, who are recognized by their many excuses. I spent too many years trying to understand why some just do not live consistent Christian lives. I have learned to simply conclude some do not fear God!
One example is Abraham. Do you remember what the angel of the Lord said to Abraham as he was about to offer his son Isaac? The angel stopped him saying, “for now I know that you fear God” (Gen. 22:12). Jonah obviously didn’t fear God running from God’s command. Now on a ship that is surely to sink in the storm told those aboard the ship, “I fear [c]the Lord” (Jonah 1:9) and because of that fear, said, “Pick me up and [d]throw me into the sea” (v.12). Nehemiah described the remnant that returned as “. . . Your servants who desire to fear Your name” (Neh. 1:11).
Remember that I said, I believe walking in the fear of God is the greatest deterrent to sin, and the greatest motivation to live godly, holy lives. Solomon spent his life seeking answer to the question of the purpose of life. He found everything under the sun to be vanity. What did he conclude? “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all…” (Eccl. 12:13). The same said, “But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day” (Prov. 23:17). Too many Christians are caught between the narrow difficult way and the broad way because they fear men, rather than God. God put you on earth to fear Him and keep His commandments and this means everything else is secondary. Working and making a living, being kind to others, and showing up for worship at every appointed time are all important, but secondary. We must have fear of God and let that be the reason we work to make a living, why we are being kind to others, and why we show up for worship at every appointed time. Therefore, since fearing God is our purpose in life—when we do not fear God our life has no purpose. In the home, if you don’t properly teach your children to fear God, you will fail them miserably and eternally.
I believe we all want to please God, but many fall short because they do not fear Him. Those who do fear God—know your Father is pleased. Peter said, “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35). Again, from David come instruction and hope, “Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no [a]want to those who fear Him” and then he said, “. . . the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers. . .” (Psalm 34:9, 15). What a blessing it is!
It is important to quantify what fear as used in the above cases means. Many think fear only involves “being afraid of God of His wrath”, while others believe that sense of fear does not belong in the heart, only that you reverence Him. These are certainly different views, but both, in fact, are necessary.
To address the first let me begin by referencing two scriptures. Thus says the Lord, “. . . But on this one will I look . . . who trembles at My word” (Isa. 66:2). David said, “My flesh trembles for fear of You, and I am afraid of Your judgments” (Psa. 119:120). Isaiah and David understood this kind of fear, and we should quiver and tremble at the very thought of doing anything that “might” displease God.
“Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.” Psalm 33:8
Let me be frank, choosing not to assemble, not to be hospitable, not to love the brethren, not to forgive others their trespasses, not to promote and attend bible studies, and not to declare Jesus to the world are just a few. Paul said, “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31), that “our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29). Knowing this who can knowingly do wrong, or not do right and not be bothered by fear? Obviously one who does not fear God. Imagine the fear in the hearts of men that received that very graphic message from Saul and Samuel who were mobilizing men to go to battle. They took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent messengers out, each carrying a bloody piece of meat and saying to the people, “Whoever does not go out with Saul and Samuel to battle, so it shall be done to his oxen.” I can’t speak for you, but I would have been terrified to refuse the offer. The text goes on to say, “And the fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out with one consent” (1 Sam. 11:7, 8). This is the first kind of fear of God in the sense that they were afraid not to do what they were told.
Secondly, is the reverence and awe of God that demands respect because of His awesome power. Can you imagine what it would be like to be in attendance of a loved one’s funeral, and someone walks up and touches the coffin, to see the departed rise up to life? That is what happened when Jesus raised the son of the widow of Nain. Nain was dead, in a coffin, being carried for burial, and when the Lord saw his mother, he had compassion on her and said don’t weep then Jesus touched the coffin and, “. . . he who was dead sat up and began to speak”. What happened next? “Then fear [b]came upon all, and they glorified God. . .” (Luke 7:11-16). There is no indication that they were afraid of “anything”, rather, “They glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen up among us,’ and ‘God has visited His people’” (v. 16). Their fear was not because of what they saw, but that of reverence, honor and respect. In the same way, when Jonah said he feared God, he explained saying, “. . . I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and dry land” (Jonah 1:9). Jonah didn’t fear the men on the ship, he didn’t fear death, he didn’t fear being thrown into the sea. He stood in awe and wonder of God.
We will conclude with Moses’ instruction to the people of God, “fear this glorious and awesome name, The Lord Your God . . .” (Deut. 28:58).
In Love
David Scarpino
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Welcome One and All!
Our faithful Creator is worthy to be praised in this assembly. All praise to Him who reigns above in majesty supreme! He gave His Son to die, for all mankind, that He might redeem all. Our blessed Redeemer suffered and died for our sins and is now risen and sitting at the right hand of God as only Head of the church. Let us offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, knowing that He is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3)
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (James 1:12)
What Jesus Said I Must Do to Be Saved?
- Hear the gospel——————————————- John 6:45
- Believe the gospel—————————————– John 8:24
- Repent of sins——————————————— Luke 13:3
- Confess Christ——————————————– Matthew 10:32
- Be baptized———————————————— Mark 16:16
- Remain faithful until death—————————— Matthew 10:22