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(Blue entries in the meditation are links; clicking on them will take you to the verse(s) in the New International Version; clicking on the other versions on that page will show the same verses in the selected version. Occasionally links are to another file of mine. On this page entries in green are the words of Scripture (NIV). If you wish to pursue your own study on issues raised try this link: The Online Study Library. )
Apr. 1999
What did Jesus say to his disciples?
"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)
Do You Tremble When Thunder Crashes Around You? Have You Ever
Been Around An Erupting Volcano Or In A Severe Earthquake? Do
you stand in the presence of displays of tremendous power with
boredom and indifference? Does witnessing great power and/or its
effects leave you without any emotional response--even when your
physical well-being is put in danger by it? Do you take particular
courses of action to achieve your goals such as running to the
nearest exit if the building you are in is said to be on fire?
If you do, you probably have the emotion of fear and you are motivated
to take what you believe is the appropriate action.
If you are in the presence of a pipsqueak you probably do not
tremble. To paraphrase a common English idiom, 'The mice play
when they believe the cat is away.'
It is the same with God and the fear of God, the response is what
you believe is appropriate to the situation--the situation being--in
the presence of the God who is almighty and absolutely holy.
Before bringing in a multitude of witnesses, that is, biblical
records, that set before us the vital role that the fear of the
Lord plays in God's world and ways it is essential to remember
the importance of not reading into 'the fear of the Lord' the
world's conception of 'fear.' There is a vast difference between
what the world means by fear and what the Bible means by the expression
'fear of the Lord.' The fear of the Lord is not a simple negative
emotion but a 'many-sided emotion,' a synthesis, that is far different
from the secular definition of fear found in the dictionary. (Prayerfully
this point will be clearer by the end of the meditation.)
What are the images or associations that the word 'fear' bring
to mind. The dictionary definition of fear is probably not an
inaccurate description of what we have experienced--"a painful
emotion or passion excited by the expectation of evil or harm"
or "A feeling of agitation and anxiety." This definition
is an entirely negative statement. While this very meaning of
'fear' appears frequently in the Bible this meaning must not be
read into the expression 'the fear of God' or 'the fear of the
Lord.' The fear of God is not only far more inclusive, it is far
different from being a simple, negative, emotion as the following
paragraphs will attempt to show. First let's look at some other
terms that the Bible uses when speaking of the proper attitude
towards God.
While the Bible frequently uses the expression 'fear of the Lord'
when speaking of the proper attitude towards God other expressions
that the Bible uses bring out the feature that characterizes the
proper attitude towards God. 'Reverence'
is one of those terms the Bible uses frequently to refer to the
attitude which believers should have towards God. The secular
dictionary definition of the term is: 'Reverence presupposes an
intrinsic merit and inviolability in the one honored and a corresponding
depth of feeling in the one honoring.' It includes the ideas of
'honoring and admiring profoundly and respectfully.' This is the
attitude that the apostle Paul tells believers should underlie
their behavior: "Since
we have these promises [not threats]
, dear friends,
let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body
and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
(2 Corinthians
7:1 ) The writer of the book of
Hebrews puts the instruction and exhortation to believers this
way: "Therefore,
since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us
be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and
awe." (Hebrews
12:28)
Another English word that is often used of the proper emotion
in the presence of God is the word 'awe.' Awe is an emotion out
of which the reverent response emerges. Why is awe the appropriate
response to being the presence of God? Because of who/what God
is.
"Dominion and awe
belong to God; he establishes order in the heights of heaven."
(Job
25:2) "Who
among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you-- majestic
in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" (Exodus 15:11)
Job spoke to his "comforters"
about God, saying, "Would
not his splendour terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall
on you?" (Job
13:11) "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters
of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all
the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere
him." (Psalm 33:6-8) "'Should you not fear me?' declares the
LORD. 'Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand
a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross.
The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but
they cannot cross it.'" (Jeremiah 5:22; For more verses see "Majesty")
God's word is so full of verses which record the responses of
fear, awe, amazement, wonder, etc. which people had when they
had glimpses of God, his power, his works, it seems almost misleading
to pick out just some. Much of the gospel records (Matthew,Mark,
and Luke) bring out this theme. The reaction of people who observed
the workings of Jesus is repeatedly shown to have been one of
amazement, awe, (wonder). For example, "Coming to his home town, [Jesus] began
teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed.
'Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?'
they asked." (Matthew
13:54 ) On another occasion Jesus told a paralyzed
man "your sins are forgiven...Get up, take your mat and go
home" "When
the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised
God, who had given such authority [or
'power'] to men."
(Matthew
9:8) At the time of Jesus' death
on the cross certain events took place. "When the centurion and those with him
who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened,
they were terrified, and exclaimed, 'Surely he was the Son of
God!'" (Matthew 27:54) What was Jesus' disciples reaction to seeing
Jesus' work? When a violent storm came up while Jesus and his
disciples were crossing the Lake of Galilee in a small boat Jesus
calmed the storm by merely commanding the wind and the waves to
quiet down. After seeing this this was their reaction: "In fear and amazement
they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands
even the winds and the water, and they obey him." (Luke 8:25) The disciples' question is expressed slightly
differently in the gospel according to Matthew: "What kind of a man is this? Even
the winds and the waves obey him" (Matthew 8:27) After
a fruitless night of fishing and the miraculous catch of fish
following the Lord's command the Bible says-- "When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at
Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful
man!" (Luke
5:8; see
context 5:4-11)
In the Old Testament portion of
God's word there are many examples of this same reaction. The
words of Isaiah the prophet about his own vision (Isaiah
6:1,3,5) or the experience
of Moses when he approached the burning bush (Exodus
3:5-6) or (Exodus
19:16-18 & Hebrews 12:21)
or Job
13:11; 42.6)
Can there be any response other than awe, amazement, wonder, and
silence (Job
40:3-14; 42:5-6)
when the "tiny," sinful,
creature is in the presence of the Awesome Absolutely Holy God?
God's word makes it quite clear that the primary purpose of Jesus'
wonders and miracles was to reveal who he was, to reveal his specialness
and glory. "Jesus
did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples,
which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that
you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and
that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:30-31;
see
also Matthew 11:2-6; John 2:9,11; 10:25; 12:37) Jesus' healings and cures on earth were temporary
results in that they had to do with the body in this life. But
trusting in Jesus, in the work which as the Son of God he was
able to accomplish on the cross, brings about results which have
to do with sin and the soul and the effects last through eternity.
(John
3:16; 11:25-26)
The word 'reverence' (for that which
fills us with awe) is an English word that is less loaded with
inappropriate connotations than the word fear. The emotion or
feeling of awe and the attitude of reverence convey more of the
meaning of the expression 'fear of the Lord' that runs through
the Bible.
Another difference between the 'fear' the world knows and the
'fear of the Lord' is the dimension which is always present in
a Christian's 'fear of God' but which is not in the world's conception
of fear. This dimension is the positive relationship that exists
between God and the believer. The world's
conception of 'fear' cannot be part of the larger truth
of the Christian message any more than a snowball can exist in
a flaming furnace. That circumstance or context in which the 'fear
of the Lord' occurs is a positive (loving) relationship.
While for a person's well-being having a fear of God is indispensable
that 'fear of God' is not a simple, negative emotion. The expression
'fear of God' or 'fear of the Lord' occurs within, and is itself
an acknowledgement of, a relationship. The relationship between
God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and the children he redeemed
is a loving one, not one held together by the fear of harm. The
'fear of God' is an emotion in the child that reflects the child's
recognition of the true relationship that exists between the Almighty
and Holy God and the children that were redeemed by an act of
God; it was God's act of redeeming them that created this
loving relationship. Jesus' disciples had to be taught or reminded
of God's attitude toward them: "Therefore
I [Jesus] tell you, do not worry about your life, what
you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more important than food, and the body more important
than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or
reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds
them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by
worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 "And why do
you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow.
They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon
in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is
how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and
tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe
you, O you of little faith?" (Matthew 6:25-30) "Do not be afraid, little flock, for
your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32) What Christian that has a Bible does not remember
why God sent his Son into the world as recorded in John
3:16?--because of his love.
God's attitude toward individuals with the proper attitude towards
him (Psalms
33:18; 103:11,13; 147:11) is vividly
illustrated in the familiar parable of the Prodigal Son. When
the riotous son who had spent all his earthly inheritance returned
home his father showed his joy by giving a banquet. (Luke 15:20-24)
The apostle Paul summed God's loving attitude in these words--
"God demonstrates
his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ
died for us." (Romans
5:8) " There is no fear in love. But perfect love
drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment."
(1 John
4:18) And who else but God shows
perfect love as the death Christ displayed? What a mystery!
What a mystery is the relationship of the Almighty God (our heavenly
Father) to his children! The apostle Paul tells believers, "For you did not receive
a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received
the Spirit of son ship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
(Romans
8:15; see
also vv 35-39)
Another category of verses which brings to our attention the loving
relationship in which the 'fear of the Lord' occurs are the verses
which point to the effect the fear of the Lord produces: It doesn't
motivate individuals to get away from God. It doesn't motivate
individuals to protect themselves from the feared object such
as a lion on the loose but rather because of the 'positive' relationship
involved it makes them more grateful for the Lord's mercy. (Psalm
8:3-4)
In the Old Testament portion of
God's word we read these words from a saint of God: "Praise the LORD. Blessed
is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his
commands." (Psalms
112:1) Another saint said this:
" I have
not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the
words of his mouth more than my daily bread." (Job 23:12) In the gospel according to John we hear the
ultimate example of this truth: "'My
food,' said Jesus, 'is to do the will of him who sent me and
to finish his work.'" (John 4:34; see also Matthew
4:4)
The psalmist witnesses to his
faith: "My
flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws."
(Psalms
119:120) . The person who fears
the Lord is the individual who delights in being 'close' to the
Almighty God, not the person who tries to get away. Jesus said,
"If anyone
loves me, he will obey my teaching." And
again in the words of Jesus: "Whoever
has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me."
(John
14:23, 21)
The very meaning of salvation is yet another way the Bible reminds
us that the fear of the Lord is not like the fear the world has
--a fear of danger or harm. Every believer must know that the
salvation that the gospel speaks of is a 'positive' value. Salvation,
the very objective for which the Almighty God sent his Son Jesus
to die as a sacrifice on the Cross, is spoken of in terms of being
in God's favor and being delivered from the threat of his wrath
(condemnation and punishment--Romans 8:1) "For God did not appoint us to suffer
wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."
(1Thessalonians
5:9) And that is what believers
are looking forward to now: the appearing of God's "Son from heaven, whom he raised
from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath . "
(1 Thessalonians
1:10) The apostle Paul described
the former and the present condition of believers, saying, "All of us also lived
among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful
nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest,
we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great
love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ
even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have
been saved." (Ephesians 2:3-5)
The Bible says everybody--unless delivered from that power or
dominion of sin--is destined for the judgment. (Galatians 3:22; see
John 3:36; Romans 2:8;
Ephesians
2:3-4,above)Those in Christ
are not destined for God's wrath=condemnation. (Romans 8:1;see also 1 Thessalonians
5:9) For us who believe the very
concept of salvation is described as the deliverance from
the fear of death and the fear of condemnation by the Almighty
God. "Since
the children have flesh and blood, he too [that
is, Jesus] shared
in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who
holds the power of death--that is, the devil--and free those who
all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."
(Hebrews
2:14-15) "Through
Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the
law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2) "The reason the Son of God appeared was
to destroy the devil's work." (1 John 3:8) When
the events of the first "Christmas" were taking place
the father of John the Baptist, a priest, spoke of the redemption
of God's people in these terms: "to
rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve
him [God] without fear." (Luke 1:74)
Because the Almighty God whom we are to fear went so far on our
behalf that he sent his own Son to die in our stead it is not
possible to fear him the way the world fears--believing he may
intend to do us evil or harm. What God told us through his apostle
Paul reveals the impossibility of believers believing God may
intend them harm. "He
who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how
will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
(Romans
8:32) This is what he prayed for:
" I pray
that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power,
together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and
high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love
that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure
of all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19) It would be a total contradiction
for believers to believe God might maliciously bring harm upon
them. The apostle's prayer was just the opposite--that believers
would know how grand was the inheritance God had in store for
them: "I
pray also ... that you may know the hope to which he [God] has called you, the riches of his glorious
inheritance in the saints."
(Ephesians
1:18) In the teaching of the apostle
Peter the same thread of truth is set forth but with an emphasis
on history and believers looking forward to the fulfillment of
God's promises. He tells believers, "Since everything will be destroyed in
this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live
holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and
speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of
the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But
in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a
new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then,
dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every
effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him."
(2 Peter
3:11-14; see
also 1 Peter 1:3-4)
The fear of the Lord is so different from the fear that the world
speaks of because it is composed of an element of appreciation
and gratitude that unbelievers cannot know or feel. It
is a terrible mistake to read the world's idea of fear into the
frequent biblical expression 'the fear of God.' The results are
an ungodly monstrosity.
We have been looking at various verses that indicate that there
is far more involved in the expression 'The fear of the Lord'
than is contained the common conception of 'fear.' The 'fear of
the Lord is something far different from "a painful emotion
or passion excited by the expectation of evil or harm." The
emotion of fear-awe in the presence of the Almighty God 'creates'
the motivation to fear-revere God. With this biblical 'definition'
in mind let's proceed to a consideration of the fundamental role
played by the 'fear of the Lord' in the life of the believer.
One way we learn about its importance is by observing the role
that emotions and motivations play in God's world. "Scientific"
investigation does this to some extent. Personal experience is
another source of information. Personal experience of ourselves
and the world we live in teaches many lessons. Who does not know
from experience how vital is the part played by emotion and motivation
in his or her own life?
Emotion. Emotion is important, nay, a vital element of being alive.
Everybody has emotions. Does not the emotion of fear result in
motivation to behave in a particular way or take a particular
course of action like running away from a wild animal, or getting
out of a burning building, or seeking to hide during a severe
thunderstorm? The very way God built us--our instincts show the
vital role emotions play in our lives. The structure that God
built into his creation which in this case is what the world calls
the instinct of self-preservation points to the crucial role that
emotions and the resulting motivations play in life.
Motivations. They are the purposes, objectives, incentives that
are part of the chain reaction that begins with emotions. Who
lacks a reason or incentive not to get out of range of a lion
on the loose or to get out of a building on fire or to avoid any
other perceived source of harm because he or she is filled with
the emotion of fear? The emotion moves us. The emotion creates
in us the incentive, the desire to take action. God designed us
that way--with instincts of self preservation. That is the goal
of that instinct--self-preservation. Our goals dictate what means
we use, what courses of action we believe to be appropriate for
getting closer to our goal. For example, if our goal is to play
music we will probably take lessons and we will certainly practice
some of the necessary skills. For most people the use of these
means is unavoidable. But the desire to play music did not come
'out of the blue.' Some emotion such as being moved by hearing
some music filled us with the desire to be able to produce our
own music. Who has no motivation for doing what he or she does?
Who follows a particular course of action for no reason?
It was not part of God's original design to create emotionless
people. Emotions (including the emotion of fear) and motivations
have their place. Salvation does not eliminate emotions or the
motivations they create. We have been looking at what the structure
of God's world has to teach us. Now let's look to what God's word
has to say.
The Bible tells us that a person's motivations are crucial because
that is the evidence (=what is 'in' the heart) that God uses to
evaluate the character (Psalm 15:2,4) or
quality of people and their behavior. This is the standard he
uses. Does what he sees in your heart and mine come up to his
standard? Whether behavior is pleasing to him or not depends upon
whether the motive hidden in the heart (of which the behavior
is an the expression) is godly. "The
LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the
outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7) An
illustration of this truth is found in God's command about giving:
"Each man
should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly
or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7;
see
also 1 Chronicles 29:17) The Bible
does not say that God "loves" someone who gives a particular
amount. It says he loves the person who gives because he has the
right attitude. Motives are important. "All a man's ways seem innocent to him,
but motives are weighed by the LORD." (Proverbs 16:2) "The crucible for silver and the furnace
for gold, but the LORD tests the heart." (Proverbs 17:3) "Does
not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards
your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to
what he has done?" (Proverbs 24:12) "I the LORD search the heart and examine
the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according
to what his deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:10; see
also Revelation 2:23) "For
the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged
sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints
and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything
is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must
give account." (Hebrews
4:12-13) Wait
till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in
darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that
time each will receive his praise from God." (1 Corinthians 4:5)
"This will
take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through
Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. " (Romans 2:16; For more verses see
1 Chronicles 28:9; Ecclesiastes 12:14; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
The Bible tells us why it is the motivations and not the apparent
behavior that is the standard that God uses. He knows the truth
that the character of behavior is dependent upon the underlying
motivation. It is the character of the motivations that gives
the resulting behavior its real character. This truth is expressed
in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said, "a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and
a bad tree cannot bear good fruit." (Matthew 7:18) The
behavior which men see is not always consistent with the quality
or character of the heart or "fountain" from which it
springs. A dramatic illustration would be the 'good' behavior
of a spy that is a carried out for the very purpose of concealing
his real objective which is not to do good to the society or organization
he is part of but to harm or destroy it. In the gospels is recorded
an excellent example: When Judas kissed Jesus in the Garden of
Gethsemene it was not an act of friendship or devotion but an
act of betrayal; the purpose of that act was to identify for the
secular soldiers which person present was the 'ringleader' they
came to arrest. (Matthew 26:48-49) God
knows that visible behavior may not be an indicator of its true
character. So do I. Behavior is but a means designed to achieve
one or more particular goal(s). The Bible talks a great deal about
the fact that there may be a vast discrepancy between the character
of a person's motives and the apparent godliness of that person's
visible behavior.
The Bible points out very clearly that behavior which appears
good but is not done to please God is not pleasing to God. The
Bible records actual occasions when God's prophets and Jesus observed
"good" behavior that was that was not the product of
a godly motive. A very common reason for this discrepancy between
the character of the motives and the character of the behavior
that men see is the desire to win the praise or approving recognition
of society or a particular segment of society that looks upon
that kind of behavior as evidence of godliness. Sometimes the
behavior which appears godly instead of being evidence of godliness
is just the opposite--a cover for a selfish motive. In the Old
Testament we hear these words: "The
Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and
honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. '"
(Isaiah
29:13; quoted
in Matthew 15:8-9)
God said (through his spokesman)
to the religious leaders of the day, "'A son honours his father, and a servant
his master. If I am a father, where is the honour due to me? If
I am a master, where is the respect due to me?' says the LORD
Almighty. 'It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name."
(Malachi
1:6)
Jesus' harshest words of censure were directed at many of the
religious leaders of his day, individuals that Jewish society
looked upon as godly. But Jesus knew that their behavior was really
designed to win the admiration of men, not the approval of God.
Jesus who could 'see' their motives, the intents of their hearts,
said of these people, "Everything
they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide
and the tassels on their garments long." (Matthew 23:5) "Woe to you, teachers of the law and
Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which
look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead
men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside
you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full
of hypocrisy and wickedness." (Matthew 23:27-28) Because Jesus understood the depth of evil
involved in hypocrisy, he warned his disciples not to act this
way. He commanded them with these words: "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street
corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received
their reward in full." (Matthew 6:5; see also Luke
11:38-44)
The hypocrites have obtained what
they were really seeking--the admiration of people. That was their
objective--to make the people who observed them think something--that
they were holy because they were "praying". People (including
oneself) can be fooled, deceived. But God who sees what is in
the heart cannot. In eternity (and sometimes on earth as well)
he will see to it that the appropriate consequences will follow.
God's will will come to pass. (Jeremiah
17:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation 2:23)
Jesus who knew their thoughts and hearts told us what the 'bottom
line' or their real motivation was: "They loved praise from men more than
praise from God." (John 12:43) And
again, "How
can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make
no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?"
(John
5:44) He knows that it is true
that "Without
faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes
to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards
those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6) He
knows that it is true that "the
good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart,
and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up
in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
" (Luke 6:45) He
knows that "a
good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot
bear good fruit." (Matthew 7:18) No wonder God pays attention to what is in
the heart!
A warning. In God's world behaving the "right" way for
the wrong reason just isn't good enough. God's world runs according
to God's rules. In his world behaving the "right" way
for the wrong reason just doesn't 'cut the mustard.' Only if the
person's motive is godly is the person's behavior godly. BUT.
But never let it be thought that the 'proper' motivation overrides
every teaching of God. Never let it be thought that the 'right'
motivation can transform the violation of God's specific commandments
into godly acts. It seems highly unlikely that it is even possible
to have the motivation to honor God while deliberately violating
specific expressions of his will! God cannot be mocked
by spurious motivations.
What my motives or motivations are makes a big difference. It
is not my behavior which determines my motivations. It is the
other way around. Behavior is but the means we design to reach
our predetermined goals. The character of my behavior is dependent
upon the character of my motivations. Without the desire to please
God he will not be pleased.
(Hebrews
11:6, above) People can be fooled
by the appearance of behavior. I can deceive others and even myself.
But I cannot deceive God. Nobody can. What behavior looks like
does not deceive God. "Do
not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that
nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the
Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." (Galatians 6:7-8)
Of course God evaluates behavior
by the character of the "fountain" from which behavior
flows....
The role of motivation in God's world does not change because
one is a believer. Motives or motivations are still decisively
important. The role of motivations applies to all people and to
all their activities. It applies equally to 'godly' activities.
Praying for example. The Bible tells believers that their prayers
may be unsuccessful because the motives underlying them are wrong.
Addressing believers James says, "When you ask, you do not receive, because
you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on
your pleasures." (James
4:3) Behavior is but a means to
objectives. Behavior is but a means to people's goals. Visible
behavior is not always what it seems. In the gospels is recorded
an excellent example: When Judas kissed Jesus in the Garden of
Gethsemene it was not an act of friendship or devotion but an
act of betrayal; the purpose of that act was to identify for the
secular soldiers which person present was the 'ringleader' they
came to arrest. (Matthew 26:48-49) It
is the motivation that an individual has for behaving in a certain
way that gives that behavior the quality or character that permeates
it. And God knows what this permeating character is. Over and
over again the Bible points out the necessity of godly motives.
It is not a lack of fear in regard to everything that shows
a person to be a Christian. The Bible
does not tell anybody including believers to be fearless but to
fear the Lord above all else. The fear of the Lord to be the real
stuff cannot be just another fear; it must be the supreme
(overriding) fear. Christians should have a 'fear.' The Bible
makes this very plain. Jesus said to his disciples, "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)
. This is not only a declaration of authoritative
advise (wisdom), it is also a command of God. This statement was
not a revelation of a new truth; it has always been true and had
been clearly set forth in the Old Testament portion of God's revelation:
"The LORD
Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you
are to fear, he is the one you are to dread." (Isaiah 8:13) "'Should you not fear
me?' declares the LORD. 'Should you not tremble in my presence?
I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier
it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail;
they may roar, but they cannot cross it.'" (Jeremiah 5:22) "'Has not my hand made all these things,
and so they came into being?' declares the LORD. 'This is the
one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles
at my word.'" (Isaiah
66:2) Attitudes toward God and
his word are decisively important.
Listen to more expressions of the supreme fear (awe and
reverence for the Almighty God who sent his die for us)--"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the
mountains fall into the heart of the sea,..." (Psalms 46:1-2)
"Fear of
man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is
kept safe." (Proverbs
29:25) "Hear
me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in
your hearts: Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by
their insults. And again the Lord
speaks: "I,
even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal
men, the sons of men, who are but grass" (Isaiah 51:7,12) "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord
is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'"
(Hebrews
13:6) The apostle Paul stated
the believer's view of God as above all else: "If God is for us, who can be against
us? ... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble
or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or
sword?... For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither
angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any
powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ
Jesus our Lord." (Romans
8:31,35,38-39)
The Bible states that the fear of the Lord has a value, a purpose;
it plays a role in God's world. The fear of God is not a meaningless
emotion to have. God takes no pleasure in seeing people sin. What
is the fear of the Lord designed to do?--to keep people from sinning.
"Moses said
to the people, 'Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so
that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.'"
(Exodus
20:20; see
also Deuteronomy 6:3; Job 28:28) "Through
the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil. (Proverbs 16:6) And
again, "The
fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the
snares of death. " (Proverbs 14:27)
"To fear
the LORD is to hate evil." (Proverbs 8:13)
Seeing the behavior of people of flesh and blood whose 'fear of
the Lord' moved them, seeing the behavior of people whose motivation
to revere God prevailed over every other consideration is a sight
that moves us and should move us. (Hebrews
11:32--12:1) What did God
say to Abraham, when according to God's command, Abraham was about
to sacrifice his son? "'Do
not lay a hand on the boy,' he said. 'Do not do anything to him.
Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from
me your son, your only son.'"
(Genesis
22:12)
What guided Joseph's behavior?
When he was a Jewish slave in a powerful position in Egypt the
wife of his master tried to seduce him, saying, "'come to bed with me!'" He rejected her advances with these words:
"My master
has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife.
How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"
(Genesis
39:7,9) Joseph knew the truth
that the Lord Almighty spoke through the mouth of his prophet
Jeremiah: "'Your
wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you.
Consider then and realise how evil and bitter it is for you when
you forsake the LORD your God and have no awe of me,' declares
the Lord, the LORD Almighty." (Jeremiah 2:19)
And Moses. "By
faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the
son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be ill-treated along with
the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for
a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of
greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking
ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's
anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible."
(Hebrews
11:24-27) Moses' behavior
revealed where his heart and hope was. (Matthew 6:20-21)
So did all the
saints that have been mentioned or could be mentioned. "All these people were
still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the
things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.
And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth....Instead,
they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore
God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared
a city for them." (Hebrews 11:13,16)
Another illustration of the effect of the fear of the Lord has
on behavior is taken from the words of a man who was in a position
of great power--a governor of Israel. He states why he
behaved as he did: "But
the earlier governors-- those preceding me--placed a heavy burden
on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition
to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people.
But out of reverence for God I did not act like that."
(Nehemiah
5:15)
The 'fear of God,' being in awe
of God, is not always expressed in those words. Knowing this is
God's world, both in time and in eternity, is the same thing.
It is this attitude which should control us and, as it were, ooze
out of our pores. "Since
everything will be destroyed in this way," the apostle Peter says to believers, "what kind of people
ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you
look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day
will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the
elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise
we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth,
the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are
looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless,
blameless and at peace with him." (2 Peter 3:11-14)
Could any example be more inspiring and more demanding than that
of Jesus Christ himself? "Christ
suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow
in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21) Jesus Christ himself, even though being the
Son of God, was not above having just this attitude of reverence.
He was obedient to his Father in heaven to the point of laying
down his life (Philippians
2:6-8) "My food,"
Jesus said, "is
to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."
(John
4:34; see
also Psalm 40:8, John 5:19, 30; 6:38; 8:29; 14:31) It
was because he was conscious of his position in relation to the
supreme authority and power of God the Father that Jesus acted
the way he did: "During
the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions
with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death,
and he was heard because of his reverent submission."
(Hebrews
5:7)
He understood and manifested in his life the truth set forth in 1 John 2:15 : "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." The fear-awe-love of the Father is supreme.
The Bible tells believers that it is this attitude that is the norm or standard of the new nature (or heart) that characterizes God's "new creatures" (2 Corinthians 5:17; to see other expressions for, click here) This is the standard which believers on earth are to live up to. This is the motivation that should control and condition all our behavior: "Since we have these promises [not threats] , dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1 ) The writer of the book of Hebrews puts the instruction and exhortation to believers this way: "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." (Hebrews 12:28)
Where your heart and hope is makes
all the difference. Without the emotion of the 'fear of the Lord',
without the recognition of who/what he is (the Almighty, absolutely
holy) what will create the motivation to please the God of the
Bible or make it supreme? The 'fear of the Lord' is like a mighty
guardrail and all his specific commands are as little guardrails
that protect his people as they travel through this dangerous
world. Or, to use an image that the Bible uses--'What else is
the "full armor" of God that believers are exhorted
to put on?' (Ephesians
6:13-17)
And who desires to put on the
'full armor of God' who feels no need of it? Who is motivated
to put on the 'full armor' of God that feels he or she can do
very well without it? Who puts on a heavy coat for protection
from the wind if he/she doesn't feel any wind and doesn't expect
any?
That is just position of unbelievers. They don't feel or expect
any 'wind.' That is what unbelief means. Unbelievers by definition
don't feel any need of, or fear of, God. Their not being in awe
of God is expressed in words such as, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey
him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let
Israel go." (Exodus 5:2) "Who is the Almighty,
that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?'
(Job
21:15) "
I am reminded
of the familiar phrase, 'The mice play when the cat is away' (or
when they believe the cat is away). According
to the Bible it is the fool who says "in his heart, 'There is no God.'"
(Psalm
14:1; 53:1) Would we not look
upon anyone who said 'there is no sun that gives us heat' as fool,
a lunatic or a nut? What could we think but that that individual
is just not living in the real world? When the word of God calls
a non-God fearer a fool what a self-evident truth it is proclaiming!
"In his pride
the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no
room for God." (Psalms
10:4) The apostle Paul speaks
of unbelievers, saying, " There
is no fear of God before their eyes." (Romans 3:18) How
differently men behave when the 'fear of the Lord' is present
from when it is absent!
Yes, the fear of God serves a great purpose.
The 'fear of the Lord' and the effect it has on behavior is not
only extremely important, it is vital (the way blood is vital
to life). It is the motivation that causes believers to behave
as they do that sets their behavior apart from the behavior other
people whether conspicuously sinful or apparently ethical. That
reason is their "fear" of God. Therefore what believers
do is (to some extent*) to please God. (*Only Jesus did so with
100% consistency. Only Jesus being sinless and spotless was qualified
to pay for our sins by the sacrifice of himself. Only his righteousness
could 'cover' the sins--the bad deeds, the inconsistencies, the
bad thoughts, the evil motives, the ungodly doubts of believers.)
Is it not the absence of the fear of God in people that distinguishes
unbelievers from believers? When the
apostle Paul said, " There
is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:18) he
was describing that portion of mankind that is still in darkness,
that portion of mankind that has not been reborn from above. (John
3:3)
When there is an absence of such
respect or reverence or fear of God (of the Bible) people behave
differently. Yes, the fear of God serves his purpose. It separates
those who have been called out of darkness (1
Peter 2:9)
from those individuals who still
reside in that dark world in which people fear many things (other
than the Creator). It separates those who are under God's protection,
that is, those who acknowledge with fear the power and holiness
of God and rejoice in the warmth of his mercy, from those who
do not acknowledge God and consequently are not under his protection.
In the Psalms, God's hymn book in the Old Testament, we read over
and over again about the marvelous condition of the person who
fears the Lord: "Blessed
is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his
commands." (Psalms
112:1) "'Has
not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?'
declares the LORD. 'This is the one I esteem: he who is humble
and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.'" (Isaiah 66:2)
A nonchalant and flippant view of God and our position in the
universe that the Almighty God made and controls is an implicit
denial of God's majesty, holiness and 'almightiness.' "Since you call on a
Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives
as strangers here in reverent fear." (1 Peter 1:17) As
the apostle Paul put it-- "continue
to work out your salvation with fear and trembling," (Philippians 2:12)
The Bible says, " Now all has been heard; here
is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole [duty] of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13) The fear of the Lord comes first. The fear
of the Lord is the soil from which obedience springs. "Do not be wise in your
own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil." (Proverbs 3:7) God
is not mocked.
In the last book of the Bible these words resound: "Who will not fear you,
O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous
acts have been revealed." (Revelation 15:4)
Look at the description
of our Lord as revealed in the prophesy of Isaiah: "The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him--the
Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and
of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD--
and he will delight in the fear of the LORD." (Isaiah 11:2-3)
Remembering that the 'fear or awe of God,' the 'fear or awe of
the Lord' occurs within the loving relationship that God created
and is itself an acknowledgement of that relationship, recall
Jesus' words to believers--"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."
Yes. Having the fear of the Lord is a must.
(If you appreciate what you read here please tell your friends about this URL and sign my guest book on the homepage. Also, if, as you read any of the meditations, you feel you know of a situation that beautifully illustrates any of the points made I would be delighted to learn of it. I might incorporate it.) mailto:camppp21355@comcast.net
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Copyright 1999 Cameron F. Paine