but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 147:11
There are many verses that speak about the fear of God. Those who do not know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, would typically say something like “why would I want anything to do with a God whom I have to fear?” But when questioning anything regarding God, we must find our understanding in the scriptures, not in earthly examples and understandings.
The scriptures tell us that God knows the number of leaves that have grown on every tree since the beginning of time, the number of sparrows that fly in the sky or are sold in the marketplace and the number of hairs on each of our heads (Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12: 5-7). And, He values you! Does that sound like someone who desires being feared?
God did not create us to have a spirit of fear (for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7).
I dare say we all feared upsetting, disappointing or displeasing our earthly fathers. Some of us feared because we were disciplined in anger and it was (or bordered on) mental, emotional or physical abuse. For those people who were raised by a loving and gentle father, the fear was in disappointing a loving, patient and caring daddy.
The fear that we, who know Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives, have toward our loving Heavenly Father should be similar, but greater than, the fear we would have of a loving and gentle earthly father. Not fear of being harmed, but fear of displeasing, dishonoring or disappointing Him. We should hunger after bringing Him joy, honor and in pleasing Him.
The fear that those who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior should have however is different (Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Proverbs 28:14).
The stark reality is God is the creator of everything. (John 1:3 “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”). He is also the one who will determine our eternal fate. Rejecting God and the salvation that He mercifully offers through the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ, will result in eternal damnation. That is something to fear.
But, God desires that none would perish (The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 & John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.).
If we reject the free gift of salvation offered by God, through the shed blood of Christ, then yes we should fear the consequences of that. But there is no point, during our earthly lives, at which He will not forgive those who repent and accept His Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord of their lives.
I pray that, for those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ, we would recognizing God’s incredible, grace, mercy and love for us and that we would have a reverent fear of God. I pray that we would desire to please Him with our lives and that we would live our lives to honor and glorify Him. He is a good, gentle and loving Heavenly Father and deserved of our reverence and love.
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and if you fear God and the consequences of your sin, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. God doesn’t want you to be in fear. He wants to forgive you and reveal His deep love for you. Please pray and, once you have, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know so that I can be in prayer for you.
Luv Ya!
