Moses wrote in Deuteronomy to
“Observe the commands of the LORD your
God, walking in obedience to him and revering him.” We are to give God our
reverence. The Bible also says in many places to fear God. From the minds of
his creation this seems counter to his love. But it is not. In fact, “the fear
of God is the beginning of wisdom,” (Proverbs 9:10). “God is love,” (1 John
4:16), and he desires what is best for his creation which comes from his wisdom.
Fear God.
But what does it mean to fear
God? In the original language the word for fear is “yirah” in Hebrew which means
awe or fear. In the New Testament fear is used forty-six times, and is the
Greek word “phobos,” which literally means “fear.” Some translations use “awe”
in Acts 2:43, or “respect” in 1 Peter 2:18 and 3:2. It is translated as
“reverence” in 1 Peter 3:15 with the use of the word is a variation of
“phobos.”
When the prophet Isaiah entered
the presence of God he fell flat on his face and cried, “Woe to me – I am
ruined. For I am a man of unclean lips [the guilty, a sinner], and I live among
people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” This is a prime example of the
fear of God. We are to have a healthy fear of him and show him respect, reverence
and awe – not because he is tyrannical and cruel, but because he is the perfect,
righteous, almighty, holy God you loves his creation.
What is wonderful about the fear of God is that he “delights in those who fear him and place their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:11) The psalmist knew by faith – looking forward to the Messiah – that he could “enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise …” (Psalm 100:4). Jesus the Messiah is our advocate by his death on a cross and resurrection. The Christ-follower will not have to face God’s wrath for sin. The Apostle Paul wrote, “God showed his love for us in that while we yet sinners, Christ [Messiah] died for us.” And the Apostle John wrote “… we have an advocate with the Father [God], Jesus the righteous.” (1 John 2:1). He is the propitiation [substitute] for our guilt, our sin, so we can enter into God’s presence with fear – because he is the Almighty perfect God. And we can enter his presence in love – because he “so loved the world, he gave his only begotten Son [Jesus the Messiah] that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). Fear God, who loves us – who loves you..
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Fear GOD, the Creator, and not the creation. Because the latter will only result in being scared.
