THE IMPORTANCE OF FEARING GOD
“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear” (1Pet 1:17).
The doctrine of fearing God from this verse is briefly provided below for the reference of our brethren and for our mutual encouragement.
1) Who shall not fear God?
Rev. 15:4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.”
God is our Father: Christians are born again of God to become His children, Thus, they address Him as “Abba, Father” or “Our Father in heaven” in their prayers.
Gal. 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
Matt. 6:9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
By believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God, we have the privilege of having a father-son relationship with Him.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
The Jews do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Though they believe in God but they are not His children. The Lord Jesus Christ says that the devil is their father because they do not listen to His words but fulfil the desires of the devil.
John 8:43-44 43Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
The true children of God must believe in the words of the Lord Jesus Christ and be born again by the Holy Spirit in order to be spiritually related to Him. As the Bible records: That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. (Rom. 9:8).
“Promise” (in the “children of the promise”) refers to the true children of God who are born of the Holy Spirit and are joint-heirs with Christ. How honourable their status and position is!
John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
1John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Eph. 1:5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.
We need to manifest our fear for God since we hold the position and status as His children. The Lord of Hosts said, “A son honours his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honour? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence?” (Mal. 1:6).
These words are a rebuke directed at the Israelites who did not fear God. Today, we have obtained the status and position as the children of God. Thus, it is our reasonable duty to fear the Heavenly Father.
Eccl. 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.
God is Almighty: “Great and marvellous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord?
Rev. 15:3-4 3They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvellous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! 4Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.”
God is God because He is almighty, and His works are great and marvellous. Since we are minute and are unable to perform the least of things to add on to a moment to our lives, should we not respect and fear He who can save but also destroy men?
Jas. 4:12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
Hannah praised the greatness of God in a very touching prayer:
1Sam. 2:2-7 2“No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. 3“Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the Lord is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed. 4“The bows of the mighty men are broken, And those who stumbled are girded with strength. 5Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, And the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, And she who has many children has become feeble. 6“The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. 7The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up.
God has the power to determine one’s life, death, woes and blessings. However, He will not abuse His power because all His works are according to His way of righteousness and truth. God created the universe and all the things in it; He is the Lord of heaven and earth; He rules and cares for all. Hence, it is written: Who shall not fear Him and glorify His name?
God is holy and righteous: Some people only know that God is love. They think that God will forgive their sins endlessly and will never be angry, judge or punish them. However, this is a wrong perspective.
Of course, the Lord Jesus Christ said that God is a merciful Father and this is evident from the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The Lord Jesus Christ also said that God is a holy and righteous Father.
John 17:11, 25 11Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 25O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.
God is holy and hates filthiness; God is righteous and hates wickedness. This is God’s character that will never change. Therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ wants us not only to love but also fear God because He can save and also destroy men.
Matt. 22:37 Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
Luke 12:5 I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son as the ultimate manifestation of love. However, His wrath will abide in those who do not believe that His only begotten Son is the Saviour. This wrath will be rendered to each according to his deeds in the day of His righteous judgment.
John 3:16, 36 16God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 36He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.
Rom. 2:5-6 5But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:
Since we have received God’s love to become His children, we should have a clearer understanding than worldly people concerning God’s goodness and severity.
In fact, Asaph mentioned in his psalm, “You, Yourself, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence when once You are angry?”
Rom. 11:20-22 20Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
God’s judgment is impartial: Since God is righteous, His judgment demonstrates His righteousness. The righteousness of God is impartiality, which means judgment will be meted in accordance with each individual’s deeds. This applies not only towards those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but to all Christians.
Hence, Apostle Paul said: 2Cor. 5:10-11 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
Paul advised men to believe in God and to do good works because he knew God is to be feared. Apostle Peter said, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1Pet. 4:17). This means that the children of God who believe in His gospel must be godlier, more righteous, kind and have better conduct than those who do not believe in His gospel.
The righteous is scarcely saved, thus the Lord Jesus Christ said, “Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:20). “Your righteousness” refers to each individual’s righteous deeds. Since entering into the kingdom of heaven is a personal exercise for everyone, righteous deeds actually refer to the works of each individual.
God will judge men according to each person’s works, whether they are good or evil. Hence, it is not because we have entered into the “church of salvation” that we will never be judged. Rather, God is impartial, for He will not consider evil as good or crooked as straight. Men may pervert the truth and confuse it from falsehood but God will never do so. Therefore, the final righteous judgment is an inevitability of the manifestation of His truth. This is the reason we shall fear God.
God watches closely: The book of Job records:
Job 34:21-22 21“For His eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees all his steps. 22There is no darkness nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
Job 11:11 For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it?
Eccl. 12:14 For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.
God is not mocked. Ananias lied to God as he kept back part of the proceeds from the sale of the land. This act was immediately discovered by God and he fell down and died after being rebuked by Peter. Similarly, his wife also tempted the Spirit of God for she did not admit her sinful act of selfishness. Consequently, she also died after being rebuked by Peter. This incident caused a great fear on all the churches at that time (Acts 5:11). The Bible records this in order to warn believers of the last days so that all their conduct with regards to the affairs of the church will be fair and selfless. Thus, we have to exercise great caution in the church for one who deceives the church deceives God and one who oppresses his brethren offends the Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s recompense will not be wrong: “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Rev. 22:12). God will determine when He will recompense the person himself as well as his descendants. In fact, it is worse if a person is not recompensed while he is alive but after he is dead.
The Bible records concerning the unrighteous Nabal. Although David did not kill him, God struck him ten days later and he died (1Sam. 25:38). Similarly, Joab slew two men (Abner and Amasa) who were more righteous than him during the reign of David. Although David was merciful and patient towards Joab with regards to the shedding of these two innocent blood but yet he charged Solomon to settle the matter when he was old. In the end, Solomon killed Joab (1Kings 2:32). The Bible also records how David was merciful to Shimei although Shimei cursed him. Before his death, David charged Solomon not to hold Shimei guiltless but to bring Shimei’s grey hair down to the grave with blood (1Kings 2:8-9).
Men may commit presumptuous sin, walk wickedly, harm the innocent with evil devices and speak maliciously against one another. They will be glad for a moment if their evil ploys succeed but the righteous God has already recorded their wicked deeds. For example, Joab killed two innocent men with his sword. As a result, his sin was also on his seed (1Kings 2:33). In fact, Joab became arrogant, unrepentant and fearless in the eyes of God because he was not immediately recompensed for his sins. However, God’s wrath actually accumulated over time and Joab was still recompensed for his sins in the end.
Rom. 3:17-18 17And the way of peace they have not known.” 18“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” There is recompense for every good and evil work in this world because this is the
law of causality. Since this is under the rule of the righteous God, who shall not fear Him?
2) Blessed are those who fear God
Ps. 115:13 He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: God is the source of wisdom and knowledge. Those who fear the Lord Jesus Christ will be blessed with the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to understand the matters that God has graciously given to us.
Prv. 9:10, 12-13 10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you will bear it alone. 13Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding;
This spiritual wisdom is not known by the learned, the wise and the authorities of the world. In fact, it is God Himself who has revealed to us by the Holy Spirit so that we know the mystery of the Lord Jesus Christ and God, the significance and the finality of life, the beginning and the end of everything and the will and works of God. Men are unable to obtain this most beneficial wisdom unless they fear God.
1Cor. 2:11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
Those who do not fear God are wise in their own eyes, but they are considered as foolish before God because their thoughts are futile and are coming to nothing.
1Cor. 2:6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
1Cor. 3:19-20 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; 20and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”
Receives God’s mercy: Fearing God in our daily lives is an important requirement in order to receive His mercy.
Ps. 103:13 As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.
There are many characters of old who feared God, and mentioned below are a few of these notable characters:
(1)Abraham obeyed God’s instructions to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering.
It was actually a test from God, but he immediately obeyed and performed it.
Then, the angel told him:
Gen. 22:12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
A person who fears God will manifest total obedience so that he will be acceptable by God. As such, Abraham received great blessings from God.
Gen. 22:16-17 16and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—17blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.
(2)When Joseph was seduced, he was able to refrain himself from doing evil work. He said: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
Gen. 39:9 “There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
This verse is sufficient to show that Joseph was a God-fearing youth because he was afraid of sinning against God and did not dare to do evil work. As he had such integrity, he received God’s mercy and blessing and held a high position while he was on earth.
(3)God forgave David’s sin because he received the prophet’s rebuke humbly and repented immediately. He was also punished as a consequence of his action.
2Sam. 12:10-12 10Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. 11Thus says the Lord: Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbour, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.
David always feared God in his life. For example, he did not dare to kill his enemy Saul:
1Sam. 24:6 And he said to his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.
David respected the anointed of the Lord and did not dare to kill Saul. This is indeed a manifestation of godly fear. Today, there are many who are anointed by the Holy Spirit in the church of God. They are not like Saul who had sinned and was rejected by God. It is just that they do not please men so some believers bear hatred, make groundless slanders and sideline them. Where is the heart of godly fear for such people? Therefore, we must learn from David and respect those who are anointed by the Holy Spirit.
(4)Cornelius obtained salvation grace because he and his whole household feared God, gave alms generously and always prayed to God. Peter also observed that Cornelius was:
Acts 10:2, 34-35 2a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 34Then Peter opened his mouth and said: In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
True righteousness means doing righteous works due to the fear of God for only this is worthwhile to be remembered by God. However, if a man does righteous works in order to have fame and self-glory, then such works will not receive God’s reward but men’s reward.
It is important that an entire household fears God. Parents must lead by example and children must obey their parents for only then can they obey and fear God. The fish rots from the head. As such, if parents do not fear God, set a good example and teach their children correctly, it is unlikely that their children will fear God. Just like Eli the high priest who could not escape blame because his two sons were wicked.
1Sam. 3:12-13 12In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them.
If leaders and deacons of the church do not know how to rule their own household well and their children do not submit to God and revere Him, how can they take care of the church of God? If their wives and children do not respect them, how can they bear their responsibility and teach believers?
Therefore, we must consider the failure of Eli as a warning.
1Tim. 3:4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence
(5)Job was righteous, blameless and upright because he feared God and shunned from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters and told them to sanctify themselves. He also offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all regularly because he was afraid that they had sinned and had cursed God in their hearts.
Job 1:1-5 1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. 2And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East. 4And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.”
Thus Job did regularly.
Job was a good father for his love for his children was shown in his fear that they might sin and depart from God. Besides shunning from evil works, he also did many good works. Job Chapter 31 contains many records of how Job was truly a good man who feared God. For example, he said, “Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps?” “What then shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes, how shall I answer Him?” “For destruction from God is a terror to me, and because of His magnificence I cannot endure.” etc. (Job 31:4, 14, 23). With this God-fearing heart, Job not only shunned from evil, he also actively performed many good works.
Job suddenly experienced great tribulations but anyone who is of integrity need not fear such trials. Although Job did not understand the real reasons behind his suffering, he did not accept what his three friends said for they rebuked him using their narrow-minded argument of causality. He suffered because God wanted to try him and prove the genuineness of his fear towards God. In the end, the merciful Lord God restored Job’s losses and gave him twice as much as he had before. This shows that God is very compassionate and is full of tender mercy. Today, Job’s patience is well known by all generations and will be remembered forever.
3) Perfecting holiness in the fear of God
2Cor. 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Godly fear is closely related to salvation and holiness. In order to be saved, one must repent. Repentance requires a person to fear God, admit that he had sinned and be afraid of God’s judgment and punishment. If a person does not fear God, it is not possible for him to repent and receive God’s grace. For example, two robbers were crucified with the Lord Jesus Christ. One of the robbers who feared God repented, believed in Him and was saved. On the other hand, the other robber did not fear God and hence, perished.
Luke 23:40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?
Today, we are living in the period of grace where our sins are forgiven. Thus, we ought to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved. One who does not fear God will not repent. Rather, he is proud and wants to be exalted above God. Having repented and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved, we ought to take one step further in order to attain holiness.
We ought to sanctify and cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit in order to perfect our holiness in the fear of God. Some Christians may say that man is not perfect and holy for who can be perfect and holy besides God? It is good to have such a humble attitude but this is not an excuse to not seek after perfection and holiness. In fact, there is nothing sadder than a withered heart for the renewing power of the Holy Spirit will not be able to work in unwilling person.
Phil. 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Some believers have not shed their old selves (their old man) as they give the excuse that men are not perfect. Those who love to drink are still drinking. Those who like to smoke are still smoking. Those who love unlawful entertainment are still going to places that are unlawful. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life remain unchanged and uncontrolled. If this is so, how can one be cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit? These are the reasons that hinder the progress of both the church and the believers from attaining holiness.
Paul gave us the solution of “perfecting holiness in the fear of God”. This means that we have to strengthen the fear of God in ourselves and wield it like a weapon to help us attain self-discipline and self-control. Just like Joseph who did not dare to sin and offend God, Daniel was also determined not to defile himself by partaking in the king’s delicacies and wine. Hence, Joseph and Daniel attained integrity by fearing God.
Today, there are some who argue that it is acceptable for us to commit an inconsequential sin as long as we do not commit a great sin or sin unto death.
However, such a mindset is against the doctrine of feet washing (i.e. “the Saviour wants me to be sanctified completely”). In fact, if we do not lay aside the little sins that ensnare us, they will become our stumbling block; if we do not lay aside the overflow of wickedness, they will choke the implanted Word. Similarly, if we do not catch the little foxes, they will spoil the vines for the flowers will fall to the ground and the vines will become unfruitful. Today, we may have to fight against great sins of wickedness but we cannot treat the threat arising from the activities of the little foxes (whether in our hearts or in the church) lightly.
Heb. 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Jas. 1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Song 2:15 Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.
Conclusion
The purpose of this article is to encourage and to increase the fear of God among brethren. This is not limited to having godly attitude and order when we worship God in services. More importantly, we need to implant the fear of God in our spiritual consciousness, manifest it in our conduct and speech and let it fill our household and the church. Then, the truth that sanctifies men and the power of the Holy Spirit will surely help us towards attaining complete sanctification.
(Holy Spirit Times – 15.02.1968)