"It may be useful to remember that Christian faith is ultimately dependent upon what actually happened rather than upon the views of historians."
- I. Howard Marshall
Tuesday, October 3, 2006
No, but you should fear him. I know it may sound strange but the Bible speaks frequently about fearing God. Yet this isn’t supposed to be the kind of fear that makes us run and scream as though we are going to be harmed. Rather the Bible is saying that we should have the kind of respect for God that leads to awe and obedience.
No one fears a chihuahua. (Well, not many of us do.) Yet it’s proper to be afraid of an attacking pit-bull. What’s the difference? Teeth. Big teeth, attached to a fearsome jaw. But that’s not the way most of us respond to most dogs, do we? Rather there’s a healthy respect. The dog could harm you so don’t mess with it, but if you treat it respectfully you will probably get along fine.
I used these examples not to compare God with a dog, but rather to show that there are different kinds of fear. The Bible tells us that fearing God is the proper response to him and it is a good thing. God is creator and judge of the universe. He has the power to create and the power to destroy. He knows all things and can do all things. He is holy, righteous and just. How do you respond to such a God? You don’t ignore him. You don’t treat him or his name disrespectfully. You don’t approach him flippantly or with sarcasm. Rather when such a God expresses his desire a relationship with you, you express awe and gratitude.
Fearing God is a good thing. It results in friendship with God. “The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them†(Psalm 25:14). God cares for those who know him. “But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love†(Psalm 33:18). Notice that the fear is not a result of God’s punishment or even the threat of punishment. The fear is the result of his love and forgiveness. “But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared†(Psalm 130:4). We stand in awe of God, not because of what he might do, but because of what he doesn’t do. We stand before him as guilty sinners, and the righteous and mighty judge of the universe responds not with punishment, but with mercy. What a wonderful thing! What a reason to love God more! God isn’t a cosmic, sappy wimp who forgives us because he has to or because he needs us. God is almighty and awe-inspiring. He forgives out of his own great love. “From everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him†(Psalm 103:17).
Many aren’t satisfied with life. Why? I submit to you that satisfaction comes only when we have the right relationship with the one we were most designed to know. “The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble†(Proverbs 19:23).
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Comments on "Should I Be Afraid Of God?":
2. Karl
- 10/03/2006 2:25 pm CDT
Good thoughts. The Bible speaks of all 3 persons of the Trinity in terms of both fear and comfort. For example:
Isaiah's reaction "Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips..." The fear of the Israelites when Moses was receiving the ten commandments - "Don't let God speak to us or we will die!" Yet Jesus tells us to call the Father "Abba" the endearing childlike term for "Daddy."
Jesus is our comforter, our brother, our Good Shepherd. Yet we see him as a fearsome figure in Revelation. Or we catch a glimpse of his holiness and his power as the Word that was in the beginning, and we share Peter's gospel reaction of "Leave me Lord, for I am a sinner."
The Holy Spirit is the promised comforter. Yet in the second chapter of Acts and elsewhere, the Spirit inspires awe and reverence, and moves like a rushing wind. Not many of us are "really" comfortable with the idea of the Holy Spirit's power unleashed in our lives.
Those who have experienced the fear (properly understood) of I AM, are likely to genuinely experience the comfort of relationship with the Abba, Daddy God, of being cared for by the Good Shepherd and having their spirit ministered to by the Comforter.
"Is he safe? Safe? Who said anything about safe? Of course he's not safe. But he's good."
"He's not a tame Lion."
"Are you not thirsty?" said the Lion. "I am dying of thirst," said Jill. "Then drink," said the Lion. "May I--could I--would you mind going away while I do?" said Jill. The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience. The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic. "Will you promise not to--do anything to me, if I do come?" said Jill. "I make no promise," said the Lion. Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer. "Do you eat girls?" she said. "I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms," said the Lion. It didn't say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it. "I daren't come and drink," said Jill. "Then you will die of thirst," said the Lion. "Oh dear!" said Jill, coming another step nearer. "I suppose I must go and look for another stream then." "There is no other stream," said the Lion.
3. Milly
- 10/03/2006 4:04 pm CDT
I always thought of the fear of God as I did with my dad. I love him, respect him, and feared him. He was the guy who brought punishment down on us because he wanted us to be good adults. God wants us to be good Christians. (Note my dad never physically disciplined me)
4. nhe
- 10/04/2006 5:14 am CDT
When I'm not fearing the Lord, it is because I'm not going to the "scary place".
The scary place is where I say - "I'll do whatever you say, and accept whatever you bring my way - no matter what" - Is there a scarier place to be than that? I truly fear the Lord when I'm there, because (like Aslan) He is good, but He's not safe - I'm giving him full permission to rock my world.
Notedisclaimer/credit due: This post was inspired by devotional #92 in "A Godward Life" by John Piper