May 3, 2015 - A. V. Rauf
Where is the Fear of the Lord? (Part 2)
John 3:14-18- — And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:36—He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
But what if one does not fear the wrath of God.???? ….Then one cannot appreciate the love of God. This is why “cheap” grace and “cheap” love seems to be so popular today.
THE FEAR OF GOD IS NOT LIMITED TO CONVERSION. IT IS THE FOUNDATION OF HOLY LIVING. IT IS A SIGN OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY AND DEPTH IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. THE LACK OF IT IS A SIGN OF SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY AND SHALLOWNESS.
When something is frequently mentioned in the Bible, that means it is important. Let’s take a look at a few topics here:
- Our Love of God:
Psalm 116:1— I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
Ps. 119:97—Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.
I John 4:8— He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Love is mentioned 45 times on the Old Testament & 43 times in the New Testament.
- Trusting in God:
Proverbs 3:5-6–– Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Ps. 22:21— For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in His holy name.
91 times we are told to trust in God (82x –Old Testament) (9x—New Testament)
- Fearing God: (Fearing God, His name, His Word, etc.
278 times —(235x in the Old testament.; 43x in the New Testament)
Psalm 111:10— The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever
(NLT)— Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey His commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible proclaims that the Fear of the LORD is a fountain of life and those who drink deeply of it shall have the Blessings of the LORD, in this life and in the life to come. However, those who reject it will not.
Thus, the fear of God is the pre-dominant response to and the fundamental attitude toward God, His Word, His Law (teaching & instruction), and His name that God desires
I am not saying that it is the only way to relate to God. It goes along with loving God and trusting God.
I’m convinced Christ wants a Church full of Holy Ghost filled warriors equipped and empowered to make a positive change in this world.
The fear of the Lord is reverence for God and the things of God. A person that reverences the Lord is concerned about how God feels. Apostle Paul wrote:
Ephesians 4:30—And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
A Christian can never experience the fullness of the Holy Ghost without a deep reverence and respect for the things of God. Without the fear of the Lord there can be no spiritual wisdom. Wisdom is sound thinking, the ability to make right decisions, shrewdness, prudence, discretion, wise judgment, common sense, and the ability to rightfully divide the Word of God and apply it to real life situations.
There are certain behaviors that are the antithesis of the fear of the Lord. Let’s take a look at a few:
INDIFFERENCE
Indifference, a take it or leave it attitude, never receives anything from the Holy Ghost. If you are indifferent, apathetic or lukewarm you are in danger. Christ said:
Matthew 5:6—Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
If you are hungry you will eat. If you are not hungry you will not. The Holy Ghost is looking for and anointing hungry people.
CONVENIENCE
Some have a relationship with God only when it’s convenient. They show up to church when it’s convenient. They pray when it’s convenient. They read the Word when it’s convenient. With these, every thing that can get in the way of their relationship with Christ gets in the way. Jesus spoke of people that put business, spouse, or relative before him. One day he held a great feast. All were invited. Some came, some were too busy. God had a word for the inconvenienced. “For I say unto you that none of those men which were bidden (and did not come) shall taste of my supper”……….
Luke 14:16-24— Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
The Holy Ghost does not like competing with sporting events, entertainments or your family members. He is God and must come first.
Luke 14:25-27—And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
(To Be Continued….)