The Fear of God

If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:17-19

This passage shows us that our Heavenly Father is an impartial judge. Have you ever thought of that? In any judge’s courtroom, you had better show respect!

This may be a new concept. Doesn’t God love us? Yes, he does! In fact, God is love. But his love doesn’t leave us the same as he found us. Our Father wants us to grow up. God is a real Father. He wants us to relate to him with respect. Any child who doesn’t respect his mother or father will remain perpetually immature, spoiled, insolent, and self-willed.

God knows we live in a dangerous world. The fear of the Lord will keep us safe. Without respecting the boundaries that he teaches us, we’ll be snared and diminished.

God’s love is not permissive. It is not sloppy agape. He is a father. Like any good daddy, he wants his kids to obey him. His love is not sentimental. God has standards. Like any father, he wants us to learn to obey his word. We won’t do well as human beings if we don’t respect God and fear him.

The Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is clean, converting the soul.”

I’ve often wondered how fear factors into our lives as Christians. Can there be a healthy kind of fear? Yes. For example, if a world-renowned figure should walk into your room, would you casually say, “Hi,” and keep scrolling on your phone? Or would you stand on your feet, look them in the eye, and extend your hand to greet them?

I remember when I trained my children to show respect to their parents and to all adults. I said to them, “Look at me when I’m speaking to you!” I required them to pay attention. If they showed disrespect to me or their mother, I paddled them. Disrespect drew punishment quicker than disobedience. A child might disobey because they did not understand the instructions. But disrespect is far more serious, a matter of rebellion in the heart.

Another reason why we must fear the Lord is this: “God cannot be mocked.”

You can’t intimidate God, bribe him, lie to him, or deceive him. You can’t trick God by being glib or cute. He judges righteously and fairly. Whatever you sow, you will reap, but more of it. God is impartial and just. He weighs the motives of our hearts. He observes us, so he can reward us according to our deeds. He looks for faith so can give us more of his favor!

Don’t be afraid of the fear of the Lord.

Ronald Wood

Speaker | Author

Touched By Grace