The Fear of God is one of those topics that is greatly neglected, much to our own hurt. My sermon text this week includes God’s great test of Abraham to see if he feared God. Though we hate to think of such a thing, I suppose God tests us often to see if we fear/revere Him or if we’ve given ourselves to an idol of some sort.
“There flows from this fear of God a readiness and willingness, at God’s call, to give up our best enjoyments to His disposal.” John Bunyan
Additionally:
20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Exodus 20
They were afraid that God was going to stomp on them. After all, they were sinners. But Moses tells them not to fear, but to fear God. Sounds strange doesn’t it. We rob God of glory when we fear anyone or anything instead of Him (like when we love anyone or anything instead of or beside Him). The fear, or reverence, of God is what was to keep them (and us from sinning).
“Moses draws a contrast between being afraid of God and fearing God. … Simply being afraid of God will lead to distrust and disobedience of Him. But fearing God will keep us from sinning.” Jerry Bridges
No, this is not an Old Testament thing (as if we could chop the Bible into chunks).
- 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. Luke 1
- 4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Luke 12
- 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. Acts 9
- 34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. Acts 10
- 11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. 2 Corinthians 5
- 15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. 2 Corinthians 7
- 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 1 Peter 1
- 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. 1 Peter 2
- 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!” Revelation 19
Ours is not the fear of a slave or criminal. Ours is the fear of sons. Sons have a loving reverence for their fathers (or should). Fathers show love, including through discipline (Hebrews 12). We are to hold our heavenly Father in awe in light of his all-surpassing greatness and grace.
“Filial fear is the loving fear of a child toward his father.” Jerry Bridges
As I began, I said this is a very neglected subject. Some of the best books on this topic are:
The Joy of Loving God by Jerry Bridges. I return to this book periodically. He is heavily dependent on the Puritans, who considered this topic far more often than we do.
The Fear of God by John Bunyan. This is one of the books that Bridges uses quite often. It is hard to find.
Gospel Fear (Sermons from Isaiah 66:2) by Jeremiah Burroughs. The forward is from my late professor, Dr. Roger Nicole. I prefer Burroughs to Bunyan personally.
When People is Big and God is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency and the Fear of Man by Ed Welch. He addresses the many problems that come from fearing man instead of God, with the remedy being the fear of God.
Principles of Conduct: Aspects of Biblical Ethics by John Murray. The final chapter is called The Fear of God.
The Doctrine of the Christian Life by John Frame also contains a chapter on the fear of God.
Cavman Considers 
Leave a Reply