Why must we fear God?
This is a valid and a good question, especially when so many
people are telling us that “God is good” and “God is love.” How can anyone
reconcile these two concepts, especially to people who are somewhat hostile to
Christianity, especially as they have seen it practiced round about?
For the moment let’s not talk about how Christianity is
preached and practiced and simply try to address the question; why must we fear
God? Obviously I can only answer from my own point of view which is the point
of one who is a learning to be disciple of Jesus.
Every reasonable person has fears. People fear losing their
job, losing a loved one, a child, a parent, a mate, losing their money, losing
their health or mental ability. We may fear being injured on the job. It seems
reasonable to fear dying. Fear is
usually presented as a negative thing, but is it truly? If an electrician
working with high voltage does not fear the power and destructive force of that
electricity, that caviler attitude can get him killed. As a truck driver I had
a healthy fear of the physical laws that do not change just because I am such a
smart guy, so I didn’t take an 80,000 lb. load down a 4 mile 6% grade in 8th
gear.
So then when we come to God there are a couple of other
things that we must consider. First of all does a person actually believe in
God? If not then of course there is no reason to fear him. I have absolutely no
fear of Sasquatch or yeti, because I do not believe they truly exist. The
second question that should be asked if a person does believe in God is, what sort
of god do they believe in?
Over time there have been many gods presented by various
people and religious practitioners. Some of the gods were good, some not so good
and some were downright scoundrels.
The book commonly called the Bible or The Holy Bible
presents a God that is unique in many ways. The Bible itself is a very unique
record. It was prepared over a period of over 1,000 years by over 50 separate
authors, many of course never met one another. And yet it presents a unified
record, much of which has been authenticated by science, archeology and secular
history.
The God of the Bible is inexpressibly good, kind and loving,
and yet he is also inexpressibly powerful and holy. The God of the Bible
demands obedience of his children, and yet he provides a way of restoration for
those who have been disobedient, if they will sincerely seek that restoration
according to His conditions.
The foolish electrician will ignore the laws that govern the
use of electricity and in the end will cause much damage and possibly injury or
death. The foolish truck driver will ignore the laws of physics and will
eventually destroy much and possibly injure or kill himself and possibly
others. The wise electrician and the wise truck driver will have a healthy fear
of the laws that govern their craft and so far as it concerns them will keep
themselves and other safe.
A person who believes in the God of the Bible who is wise
will have a healthy fear of the spiritual laws that govern all people and will,
as far as they are able keep themselves and those around them safe.
In Matthew 10:28 Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid of those who
want to kill your body but cannot touch your soul. Fear only God who can
destroy both soul and body in hell.” He goes on to say, “What is the price of
two sparrows – one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground
without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all
numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock
of sparrows.” (NLT)
Some will say we need to respect the God of the Bible and
some modern translations have said it that way, but if I only respect the God
that I serve I am still free to respectfully disagree with what he says and not
obey. If I fear that He is and will do what He says fear will compel me to obey
whether I agree or disagree.
If you do believe in the God of the Bible who created
everything and maintains all things, you definitely need to have a healthy fear
of Him. If you do not believe in the God of the Bible I hope this has at least
clarified the matter a little.
Proverbs says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom…” (1:7 & 9:10) It is the beginning but it is only the beginning.
Be Faithful to what you believe.
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