What does fear of God mean?

Fear God.

People object to this.

God is perfect.

God is love.

God forgives our sins.

So why should we fear an all loving, all perfect all forgiving God?

God’s majesty

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

PROVERBS 9:10

What is there to fear in the midst of such magnificence, goodness, holiness and kindness?

Exactly that.

We need to fear God’s magnificence.

Not to fear punishment and condemnation… although remember God is all just also and there are consequences for sin.

But we fear God because we recognise his majesty.

We recognise his holiness.

We recognise his authority over everything.

Our humility

The fear of God is the commencement of our humility in the face of God’s presence.

We respect the creator of all things.

We revere the master of the universe.

God’s glory humbles us.

God’s infinite wisdom humbles us.

God’s ultimate power humbles us.

Obedience

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you 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; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13

Fear of God produces obedience.

If we fear God we will obey him.

If we fear God we will align our hearts with his.

If we fear God we will honour him.

God will not be mocked

28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

MATTHEW 10:28

The fear of the Lord prevents us taking his love for granted.

Yes Jesus died for our sins, but he did not die so that we could dance on his memory and continue sinning with impunity.

Do not take God’s grace and mercy lightly.

Yes God is all forgiving.

If we repent.

Our salvation is through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and turning away from sin to become more like him.

¹⁵ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. ¹⁶ For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷ The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

1 JOHN 2:15-17

This is a timely warning.

Do not follow the ways of the world.

Instead fear God.

Obey God.

Flee from evil

²⁷ Turn from evil and do good;
    then you will dwell in the land forever.
²⁸ For the Lord loves the just
    and will not forsake his faithful one

PSALM 37:27-28

We do not know when we will take our last breath.

Are you ready to meet your maker?

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.

PROVERBS 6:16

What did Jesus say?

If you love me, you will obey my commandments. 

JOHN 14:15

Be fearful of choosing an evil life.

We all have free will.

God will not intervene.

But what have you got to lose if you do not fear God and instead choose a life of deliberate sin?

Answer: everything.

 6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil avoided.

PROVERBS 16:6

LET US PRAY:

FATHER GOD FILL US WITH YOUR PERFECT LOVE. GUIDE US WITH YOUR PERFECT WILL. PROTECT US FROM ALL THAT IS EVIL AND HELP US TO OBEY Y0U IN EVERYTHING WE THINK, SAY AND DO. IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME WE PRAY. AMEN.