Fear Can Become Reverence

Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Proverbs 2:5: Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Surprisingly, that simple word fear can be greatly misunderstood, especially when it involves the fear of God. The fear of God should have a different meaning for believers and for unbelievers. Unbelievers should be shaking in their boots over their impending doom but most of the time they are not. Children of God should not fear God in the way that unbelievers should, but sometimes they do.

Within a couple of days, my Pastor and my study Bible both made a direct connection between fear and reverence. Reverential fear belongs only to believers.

Believers should have a reverential fear of God. If they know Him well they will reverence Him but often they do not. The better they know Him the more they will reverence Him. They should be afraid not to know Him and they should be afraid not to reverence Him. They should be afraid not to be humble before Him but often they are not. They should respect Him above all, but often they do not. They should value Him above all, but often they do not.

1 John 4:18: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

The perfect love that casts out fear and torment belongs only to believers.

Mark 12:30: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

When believers love the Lord completely they can have fear without torment. They can have reverence. But too often we don*t love Him that way. Fear with torment is a heavy load but fear with reverence is a blessing.

Care to discuss Fear Can Become Reverence with Ron?

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