Is it because we don't fear God?
The words of this old song often come to focus when listen to today’s weather reports. “Dark clouds are rising, poor sinner stands trembling, he is trying to hide his face from an angry God, and I don’t have long to stay here.” Many will listen with joy as survivors testify of their deliverance from the destruction of a powerful storm. If you survived a storm and witness the power of God, maybe your testimony should reflect the fear of God rather than the joy of deliverance.
During a Sunday school lesson, I stated that we ought to fear God because he is a jealous God and for added emphasis I said, "if you mess with God, he will kill you." One of the students asked me not to use those types of words to referencing God and during the lesson review the pastor reinforced the thought that we should focus on the love of God rather than the fear of God. I entertained the thought that I could be wrong and returned to my office to do scriptural research. What I found reinforced my previous belief and explained why the world and the church is in the shape it is in.
Exodus 22:24, “And my wrath shall grow hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.” The context of this verse is God is stating his laws and punishments to his children. “You shall not afflict a widow or fatherless child.”
Exodus 32:10 speaks of a threat God made against the children of Israel while He was talking to Moses upon the mountain, “Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.” Even in the King James Version of the Bible, it seems that God was getting ready to do some killing. The message of the Bible is twofold it speaks of love of God for his people and God’s wrath on those who disobey him. The Bible also teaches us to fear God and keep His commandment. The word of God also teaches us that the soul that sinneth, it shall die. God asked the question, “why fear man, who can only kill the body, you should fear me because I can kill the body and soul.” This is more than enough to scare me. I would be a fool not to fear a God of this great magnitude. David wrote, “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.” (Psalm 33:8) Like David, I am impressed at the things God can do. Like Job, I am afraid of the things God might do.
When I was young, it was the fear of my father’s belt that kept me from doing wrong. I loved my father and my father loved me. If you had removed that fear I would have grown up being bad. I not only would have been dreadful, I would have been evil. Fear is a necessary component in keeping our heart in tune with our creator. Fear is a part of the environment that provides the foundation of our sub-conscious. Remove fear and there is nothing to guide us.
Now I have set the stage for a biblical dissertation that some may consider sacrilegious, but we can let the Bible speak for itself. When the Bible speaks for itself, there should not be the need to explain what it says. Those who do not process the wisdom of God often distort the message of God. David was a man after God’s own Heart, yet David said, “You, yourself, are to be feared; and who may stand in your presence when once you are angry?” (Psalm 76:7)
Without a true fear of the ocean, a person will know nothing about the danger of the ocean. Without fear, unnecessary chances and endangerment of life often results in death. Without the true fear of God, a person knows nothing about God. 1st. Timothy 6:4, states, “because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). A person does not even begin to have knowledge if they do not fear God, as it is written, "fools hate knowledge" (Proverbs 1:22). Without the true fear of God, a person is a fool, because the true fear of God is also the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10). A person does not even begin to have wisdom if they do not fear God, as it is written, "Fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7). The sad reality of all of this is the miserable state of humanity they are fools Psalm 14:1-3. There is no fear of God before their eyes. Romans 3:18, tell us, "The hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live" (Ecclesiastes 9:3), because they do not fear God (Psalm 36:1).
To make matters worse, there are ministers who divert people away from the true fear of God, and the result is people continue to be fools, and this is horrible; because the legacy of fools will be an eternal shame (Proverbs 3:35; Jeremiah 23:40; Daniel 12:2). As there is nothing new under the Sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9), it is like the Israelites of old. “As it is written, Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me. Their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men, therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work among this people, a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish” (Isaiah 29:13-14). Here, it seems as if the Father is threatening to put the fear of God back in the children of Israel. In the world today, there are events taking place that should put godly fear in us. The lack of fear has allowed the use of God’s name in vain dialogues and/or expressions. Because there is no fear, we use God’s name in sinful expressions. Many people speak of God with no conviction, “I cannot go to church tonight, because I have to go to work tomorrow”, is a common excuse.
If people did fear this "violent God," as the charlatan prelate claim, they would not have a personal relationship with Him (Psalm 103:11-18; John 17:3). The problem is they do not fear Him and they do not have a personal relationship with Him, (Romans 3:18). Therefore, they will forever know His wrath (as in Revelation 14:9-11). The reshaped message states that this fear is not that of terror or fright, but of reverential awe and honor. This statement is insane (Ecclesiastes 9:3). Also note Matthew 10:28, the verse that they are commenting on: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) Some pundits say, "This fear is not that of terror or fright" when considering "Him" who can "destroy both soul and body in hell" To me this is much more terrifying and frightful than someone who can "kill the body but cannot kill the soul," and that could be a terrifying and frightful event! Yet, having "both soul and body" destroyed in hell, which means eternal torment (Revelation 14:11; 20:10), is eternally more terrifying and frightful. Simple faith in what Jesus said dictates that. Therefore, those who speak this reveal their unbelief in the word of God. If they do not believe in the fear of God, they cannot believe in God. Those who claims, "this fear is not that of terror” speak the words of madness (Ecclesiastes 9:3) and empty (2nd. Peter 2:18).
There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. (James 4:12) This is the terrifying truth. Psalm 130 says, "If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” "But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared. “ (Psalm 130:3-4) Mercy is only found within the power and the will of the Almighty.” Our God is the God of salvation, and to God the Lord belong the escapes from death (spiritual death).” (Psalm 68:20) To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, (Daniel 9:9) Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! (Revelation 19:1) "Therefore men fear Him" (Job 37:24), because they know therein lies their only hope (Acts 4:12). For, The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy. (Psalm 147:11; see also Luke 1:50; Acts 10:35) “But, the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth,” (Psalm 34:16) and to destroy them forever in hell (Isaiah 66:24; Revelation 20:10-15; 21:8). Thus, David wrote, “in fear of You I will worship toward your holy temple.” (Psalm 5:7) The song of the Lamb asks who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify your name. (Revelation 15:4) “Only the fool shall not fear God” (Proverbs 13:16; 14:16).
If we are truly searching for the definition of this fear then these verses should put us on the right path. The fear the biblical writers speak of is a scary fear. This type of fear should make you afraid to sin against God. If I knew God, I would not choose to make him angry. I respect the love of God and I respect the need to fear God. True Fear will cause you to Trembles. In Hosea 13:1 the Lord describes Ephraim as doing well when he "spoke, trembling," and so are we, if we are literally trembling before God. True Biblical fear demands trembling, because, in truth, God is so fearful it actually causes literal trembling before Him. Many of the ancients approached God with tears of sorrow and sackcloth. Daniel writes of King Nebuchadnezzar, And because of the majesty that God gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. (Daniel 5:19) The people in the days of King Nebuchadnezzar had the sense to rightly tremble and fear before a mighty king (Proverbs 24:21; Romans 13:7). As God does, Nebuchadnezzar did whatever he pleased, as a true king can (Ecclesiastes 8:1-2). Therefore, if the people of Daniel's day rightly and literally trembled and feared before an earthly king, a man whose breath was in his nostrils (Isaiah 2:22), how much more should we tremble and fear before, he who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords (1st. Timothy 6:15; see also Psalm 103:19)?
The only confusion that exists at this point is why a man of God would tell me not to say, “Fear God.” If we just reflect on the love of God, where is justice, and where is the punishment for sin? God is the eternal King (Psalm 10:16; 29:10), who will execute whomever He wishes (Deuteronomy 32:39), keep alive whomever He wishes (1 Samuel 2:6), set up whomever He wishes (e.g. Job 12:23), and put down whomever He wishes (e.g. Luke 1:52). Not only that, but as the King, all the earth works in His creation (Psalm 47:7); His work provokes fear trembling before Him. Elihu who knew the fear of God and trembled before Him, said, “Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him; nor can the number of His years be discovered. For He draws up drops of water, which distill as rain from the mist, which the clouds drop down and pour abundantly on man?” Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds, the thunder from His canopy? Look, He scatters his light upon it, and covers the depths of the sea. For by these He judges the peoples; He gives food in abundance. He covers His hands with lightning, and commands it to strike. His thunder declares it, the cattle also, concerning the rising storm. At this also my heart trembles, and leaps from its place. (Job 36:26-37:1)
“God is indeed great, and His works in creation are awesome. He does great things, which we cannot comprehend.” (Job 37:5) “And this should cause fearful trembling before Him, as the King of glory.” (Psalm 24:7-10) Himself says, "Do you not fear me?" says the Lord. "Will you not tremble at my presence, which has placed the sand as the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree that it cannot pass beyond it? Though its waves toss back and forth, yet they cannot prevail; though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it, but this person has a defiant and rebellious heart; they have revolted and departed. They do not say in their heart, 'Let us now fear the Lord our God, who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season. He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest.’ Your iniquities have turned these things away, and your sins have withheld good from you.” (Jeremiah 5:22-25) This might explain why we are suffering the same fate. Are we guilty of the same crime?
Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob. (Psalm 114:7; see also 1st. Chronicles 16:30; Psalm 96:9; 99:1; Joel 2:1; Ephesians 6:5; Philippians 2:12) The Psalmist wrote this of the everlasting King (Jeremiah 10:10): “My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments” (Psalm 119:120). This statement is in the context of overwhelming love for God's word. (Psalm 119:47-48, 97, 113, 119, 127, 159, 163-165, 167) Thus, it is made in the context of overwhelming love for God (Mark 12:30), since God and His word are one (John 1:1). Therefore, loving God and being afraid of Him are congruous. Likewise, the fear of the Lord and the joy of the Lord, tremble together. "As it is written, Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling." (Psalm 2:11) In the true fear of God, fear and trembling and rejoicing in the Lord, (Philippians 4:4) is harmonious as well. Finally, "it is the Godly who find it in their hearts "(Psalm 65:4) "to tremble before His word" (e.g. Ezra 9:4; 10:3)," as the Lord says, but on this one will I look on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word." (Isaiah 66:2, verse 5)
Godly Fear will make you run toward the salvation offered by God. It is an abomination to fools to depart from evil. (Proverbs 13:19) Therefore, those who claim to fear God, yet continue in their sin, are fools and liars (1 John 2:4), as it is written, He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him. (Proverbs 14:2) There is no way someone who fears God can continue in sin unrepentantly, because, “By the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.” (Proverbs 16:6) Those who fear God repent, and they love correction (Proverbs 12:1; 15:5); because they know it is the way of life (Proverbs 6:23). The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death (Death of the soul). (Proverbs 14:27)
The wicked, those who do not fear God (Romans 3:18) love death (Spiritual Death) (Proverbs 8:36), hate correction (Proverbs 1:22; 12:1; 13:18; 15:10), and do not turn from their evil ways (Proverbs 1:30; Isaiah 9:13; Jeremiah 15:7; 36). The godly, those who tremble at His word, do (Psalm 141:5), because, “Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God.” (Ecclesiastes 8:12-13) There may indeed be wicked people who "fear the Lord" (e.g. 2nd. Kings 17:24-41), but the truth is, if they turn not from their evil deeds (Proverbs 16:6), it is evident they really do not fear Him (as in 2nd. Kings 17:34); but instead, they renounce Him. For God is in none of their thoughts (Psalm 10:3-4).
No comments:
Post a Comment