What is the Fear of God?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. - Proverbs 9:10
The Bible, over and over, tells us that the “Fear of God” is important. And it’s not just an Old Testament thing that can disappear because Jesus, in his death, absorbed the consequences of sin. We also see “fear God” in the New Testament (Acts 9:31; 2 Cor 7:1; Heb 12:28; 1 Pet 1:17).
It seems to me, however, that the idea of fearing God is avoided. Does it amplify how we already struggle with the idea of a loving God? Does it move us back into the Old Testament and away from grace? Does the “the fear of God” go against our evangelical marketing and today’s spiritual appetite?
The fear of God should be core to our reality. Fearing God happens when we know the unchanging truth of God’s holiness. Because God is infinitely pure in goodness, sin and evil simply can’t and won’t be accommodated. This is non-negotiable. It’s antithetical to God’s very nature. So as much as God has infinite love for what’s right, he has infinite hate for sin. If we could feel this as we should, we would tremble.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom because, if we know that God can’t accommodate sin, and judgment is coming, and this produces fear of the Lord, we now have the beginning of wisdom. We now can have a heart that cries out, “Help! Help! I need rescue!”. And that’s wise.
So, three things:
First – If you are not a believer (not embracing Jesus for your rescue), you should be afraid. If your heart is looking up and saying, “Help me!” you are wise and help is on the way.
Second – If you are a Christian resting in Jesus and what he has done for you, the knowledge of God’s holiness should make the cross much better news. Jesus absorbed God’s infinite anger (how do you measure that?) for you.
Third – I’d like sharing the gospel never to be uncomfortable, but at the heart of God’s love is his rescue - rescue from his wrath.
Jesus, you are the One who willingly came to face God’s wrath so his children could live. I know I don’t see sin as I should and I don’t see your holiness the way I should – I’m sorry. Thank you for coming for the helpless, like me. Please show me the truth of your holiness so I can respond rightly.
Song: Praise the Name