Thursday, February 10, 2005
Where is the Fear of God?
There is a lot of dividing issues facing Evangelicals, but a cornerstone of misunderstanding has got to be the way in which we have forgotten what it means to fear God. I've heard from many who blow off even the most basic principals of Christian living, like being part of a local church, apathy over submitting to the 10 commandments, reengineering the Gospel to fit better with our philosophy, and yet pointing to all the bumper stickers that say "God is love", claiming God loves us no matter what - and we're all ok regardless how little effort we put into our end of sanctification. We give a lot of attention to God's forgiveness, healing, and love....but somehow we have left behind the beginning of wisdom: the fear of God.
Why should we be afraid? Aren't we under grace? Should we not depend on God's grace for salvation, not the law? Of course. But let's not forget what is waiting for us on Judgement day, redemption will come for those who are found in Christ, but not until we have been examined. What will it be like to see God face to face? How warm and fuzzy will we feel when God will "repay each person according to what he has done"? (Matthew 16:27) Throughout the Biblical era the Patriarchs were confronted with God's holiness, how did they react?
Moses in Exodus 3:6
And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Balaam riding his donkey who spoke to him in Numbers 2:31
Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face.
King Belshazzar when seeing the vision of the handwriting on the wall in Daniel 5:5-6
Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote. Then the king's color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together.
Sampsons parents in Judges 13:20-22
And when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, the angel of the Lord went up in the flame of the altar. Now Manoah and his wife were watching, and they fell on their faces to the ground. The angel of the Lord appeared no more to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the Lord. And Manoah said to his wife, “We shall surely die, for we have seen God.”
Daniel's vision of a terrifying man in Daniel Ch 10:8-10 & 15-17
And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground. And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”
Peter, John and James on the Mount of transfiguration in Matthew 17:5-8
He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Paul in route to Damascus Acts 9:3-4,9
Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Please note that none of these accounts we’re people who actually saw God himself, but small representations of God's holiness. Can we even begin to imagine what will overcome us when we see the complete holiness of God in light of our innumerable shortcomings? It will not require many words from God to convince us of our guilt, as even vailed manifestations filled the above mentioned people with such shock they were surprised to still be alive afterward. So where is the fear of God today? It is hidden behind presumption and ignorance on the part of the believer, but will be sobered on the last day, therefore please - examine yourself, presume nothing and "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12)
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I devote the work of this Web Log to the true living LORD God, and to His Son, Jesus Christ.
May the blessing of God's hand be upon it that it might be a light in a dark place.
Why should we be afraid? Aren't we under grace? Should we not depend on God's grace for salvation, not the law? Of course. But let's not forget what is waiting for us on Judgement day, redemption will come for those who are found in Christ, but not until we have been examined. What will it be like to see God face to face? How warm and fuzzy will we feel when God will "repay each person according to what he has done"? (Matthew 16:27) Throughout the Biblical era the Patriarchs were confronted with God's holiness, how did they react?
Moses in Exodus 3:6
And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Balaam riding his donkey who spoke to him in Numbers 2:31
Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face.
King Belshazzar when seeing the vision of the handwriting on the wall in Daniel 5:5-6
Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote. Then the king's color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together.
Sampsons parents in Judges 13:20-22
And when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, the angel of the Lord went up in the flame of the altar. Now Manoah and his wife were watching, and they fell on their faces to the ground. The angel of the Lord appeared no more to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the Lord. And Manoah said to his wife, “We shall surely die, for we have seen God.”
Daniel's vision of a terrifying man in Daniel Ch 10:8-10 & 15-17
And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground. And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”
Peter, John and James on the Mount of transfiguration in Matthew 17:5-8
He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Paul in route to Damascus Acts 9:3-4,9
Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Please note that none of these accounts we’re people who actually saw God himself, but small representations of God's holiness. Can we even begin to imagine what will overcome us when we see the complete holiness of God in light of our innumerable shortcomings? It will not require many words from God to convince us of our guilt, as even vailed manifestations filled the above mentioned people with such shock they were surprised to still be alive afterward. So where is the fear of God today? It is hidden behind presumption and ignorance on the part of the believer, but will be sobered on the last day, therefore please - examine yourself, presume nothing and "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12)
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