Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NLT
[13] That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. [14] God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
Good Morning!
What does it mean to have “Fear of The Lord?”
For someone who is walking in the ways of the world (an unbeliever in Christ), fear of the Lord is the fear of judgement and eternal separation from God. Living this life for “self” and getting wrapped up in the temporary things the world has to offer only gives us fear in death and no peace to know what will happen in the hereafter. This fear can be easily overcome through the salvation of Christ – giving our hearts and surrendering to Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Luke 12:4-5 CSB
[4] “I say to you, my friends, don’t fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. [5] But I will show you the one to fear: Fear him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the one to fear!
For those that are already a believer in Christ, they have assurance in their eternity, so therefore have no fear in death. The fear of the Christian believer is that of reverence and awe of God.
1 John 4:18 CSB
[18] There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love.
John 5:24 CSB
[24] “Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.
God Himself, through the person of Jesus Christ, reached down to humanity to give us peace, love, joy, and hope through His salvation. These things only come through obedience to God’s word and showing our utmost humbleness and gratitude and giving our lives whole-hardheartedly to Him. This is the fear of God that He desires from us. It is that of humbleness, reverence and awe of God, the creator of the universe.
The Psalms and Proverbs tell us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and understanding. When we are walking in His ways, God takes pleasure in us. When we fear the Lord, we have a strong confidence in God’s promises and have a place of refuge. We also know that the Lord is our fountain of life and He has removed us from the snares of sin and death.
Psalm 111:10 NKJV
[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.
Psalm 128:1 NKJV
[1] Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.
Psalm 147:11 NKJV
[11] The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.
Proverbs 14:26-27 NKJV
[26] In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. [27] The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.
When we are walking in the Fear of the Lord, our nature becomes the God’s nature. Our desires become what He desires for our lives. As Romans 12:1-2 tells us, we are to become a living sacrifice. God’s will is accomplished by being a living sacrifice. If we want to know the will of God, we have to become the will of God.
When we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, we begin to understand His nature and think, act and do His will because we are drinking from the fountain of life. His nature becomes our second nature. Our old self and old way of doing things have passed away and we are new creations in Christ.
Proverbs 8:13 TLB
[13] If anyone respects and fears God, he will hate evil. For wisdom hates pride, arrogance, corruption, and deceit of every kind.
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
[1] Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. [2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
I say again, the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, knowledge and understanding. It is not something that we should be afraid of for God’s wrath has been satisfied by the sacrifice of Christ for all of humanity. As long as we have accepted God’s free gift of grace through Christ’s sacrifice, we will not perish and have everlasting life.
So to sum it up, we should walk in the fear of the Lord but have no fear!
I love you and am praying for you today!
Dad