From my blog written: 02-02-2014
I often hear people say that love involves no fear.
I beg to differ. Those of us who have children know that part of loving them involves consequences when they do something that they shouldn't have done, or that they knew wasn't acceptable. Without those consequences, children aren't taught valuable life lessons such as self-control and consideration for others.
That in no way means that we don't love our children beyond measure.
There is a real fear of God from Moses at the burning bush who "feared exceedingly," to Isaiah who, when confronted said "Woe is me, I am a man of unclean lips and of a people of unclean lips." Also in the NT, there is an example of fear when Jesus calmed the sea:
Mark 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Think about that type of fear, there would have been a great, "awe" involved as well. To see something that is impossible for a man to do, and they saw Jesus do this with their own eyes.
The first Biblical passage that amazed me on this subject comes from Exodus 20.
Exodus 20:18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
Exodus 20:19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
Exodus 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
Moses told them not to fear, and that His fear was before their faces that they sin not. Wait a minute, "Fear, but don't Fear?" Is what I thought.
I believe that the fear that they experienced at Mount Sinai was a real fear and a loving fear. That kind of fear was to keep them from sinning. God was very near to them, even on the Mount and No sin could come near or even touch the mount.
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.It's not about the fear of man, or the world.
That kind of fear is not the same as the fear of man.
Psalms 56:11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
Paul explained that no sin will inherit the Kingdom.
1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
There is fear involved with sin in the presence of God. I read an excerpt a few years back that really spoke to me, by R.C. Sproul, he wrote. "God is Holy Holy Holy, and we are not." When words are repeated like in the verses below, it is to emphasize a point.
Isaiah 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Revelation 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
The word "wrought" is defined as:
wrought
rôt/
adjective
adjective: wrought
(of metals) beaten out or shaped by hammering
The KJV bible dictionary defines "wrought," as:
Wrought
Worked; made. "For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but WROUGHT with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you." ( 2 Thessalonians 1:1 Matthew 3:7-8 )
When we come to the light, Jesus who is the light knows exactly what's in our hearts. There's nothing hidden from Him.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore 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:
Isaiah 29:14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Isaiah 29:15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
As with Isaiah, He didn't say, "woe is me," until after he was confronted.
Isaiah 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Isaiah 6:2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
Isaiah 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.Isaiah 6:4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
In the presence of the Almighty, nothing is hidden.
Followers of Christ do not walk around in a constant state of fear. We become more fearless of the world as we grow and mature in Christ because our confidence is in HIM.
If we are in error. He corrects us, and we need to heed that correction. He deals with us as sons (and daughters.)
Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Psalms 113:5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
Psalms 113:6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
Psalms 113:7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
Psalms 113:8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, Proverbs 3, and lean not in your own understandings; in all your ways, acknowledge Christ and Christ will continue directing your path.
Good morning Joey, That is one of my favorite passages.
I visited a thrift store a few years ago that was newly opened, when I walked in the door, the woman who opened it, handed me a marker, and told me to write any verse that was on my heart any place in the building, on the floor, on the wall, just not on the merchandise.
So I took the marker, and wrote that very passage on the floor in the entrance so that people would see it the minute they walked in. :)
Thank you for sharing it!
That is a great thing to do. Instead of signing an autograph or yearbook or a cast, this is truly a better thing to do. I love your story.
Thank you so much Joeyarnoldvn, May God continue to bless you always.
Philippians 1:6 has perspective on the commitment God has on us as His Body. He will finish His work in us.
Amen, indeed!
Psalm 111:9-10 "He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant FOREVER; Holy and awesome is His name. 10 THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM; A good understanding have all those who do His COMMANDMENTS; His praise endures forever."
Now, in who's interest would it be to have mankind NOT fear God?
We SHOULD be afraid of disobeying God, and this fear should lead us to study His words, ie. Psalm 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
1 John 3:4 "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW.
Good, thought provoking post LivingWaters