Many people explain the fear of the Lord as a mere respect or reverence. But the Bible uses the word fear at least 300 times in reference to God, so we make a mistake WHEN WE DOWNPLAY IT. The subject becomes even more mysterious when we read “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18) So how do we marry this seeming contradiction? How can we fear God while he casts out all fear?
Solomon says, “The FEAR (yir’ah: respect, reverence, an awesome or terrifying thing) OF THE LORD is the beginning of knowledge…” (Pro. 1:7) Solomon goes on to describe people calling for wisdom, “but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge And DID NOT CHOOSE THE FEAR OF THE LORD…” (Pro. 1:28-29) The writer of Hebrews tells us that “…since we are RECEIVING A KINGDOM which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which WE MAY SERVE GOD ACCEPTABLY WITH REVERENCE AND GODLY FEAR. For our God is a CONSUMING FIRE. (Heb. 12:28-29) We have to be aware of the consequences of disobeying God, “…anyone not found written in the BOOK OF LIFE (every name of those who are saved) was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:15) “…the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake WHICH BURNS WITH FIRE and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Rev. 21:8)
What does God do to prevent us fron being thrown into the lake of fires? “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him MIGHT BE SAVED.” (John 3:16-17) What do we do to make sure? Since, “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Rom. 3:23) We need to, “Repent and be converted, that your sins may be BLOTTED OUT, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” (Acts 3:19) Our name will then be written in the BOOK OF LIFE!
-Bill Stockham