In last week’s article, “Is God the Meaning and Purpose of Your Life?” we very briefly looked at the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes of what Solomon said about how living a life without the fear of God is meaningless. He starts out Ecclesiastes by saying, “Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 1:2. In fact, throughout the book of Ecclesiastes (NIV), thirty five times Solomon gives examples of various aspects of life and says that they are “meaningless”. It is not until the second to the last verse of Ecclesiastes that Solomon tells us what gives meaning and purpose to a person’s life, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:9.
In last week’s article, stated that as Christians, the fear of God needs to be the center of who we are (our character) and the motivation of what we do. When we fear God, we will respect Him and His Word. We will seek to honor Him in and with everything of our lives. A life lived in the fear of God will be a life that will be submitted to God’s will and Word, which will be a meaningful life worth living.
Living a life that “fears God” or in “the fear of the Lord” is an Old Testament teaching of which there are many examples. However, these two terms are hardly ever mentioned in the New Testament. Nevertheless, it is important to note that this does not put any less significance for the fear of God or the fear of the Lord not to be a lived out as a spiritual characteristic and reality in a Christian’s life today.
In the New International Version Old Testament, the term, “fear of God” is used eight times and the term “the fear of the Lord” twenty-one times. But in contrast, in the New International Version New Testament the term, “fear of God” is only appears once in Romans 3:18 which is a quotation of Psalm 36:1, “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” And the term “the fear of the Lord” also appears only once in Acts 9:31, “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.”
In addition to the two previous verses mentioned, in 1 Peter 2:13-17 Peter instructs the Churches that they are to, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors…”. Peter concludes this point by telling them to, “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” 1 Peter 2:17. Living a life that fears God was an important spiritual characteristic and reality in a Christian’s life even in that day.
Why, if the fear of God or the fear of the Lord is such an important aspect in a Christian’s life today, are these terms only mentioned three times in the New Testament?
To help us answer this question we first must look at the definition of what it means to fear God or fear the Lord.
Hayford’s Bible hand Book
“Fear (the fear of the Lord) refers to a holy reverence before God. Reverence is recognized as the proper response of men to God and expresses itself in worship and in obedience.”
Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible
“The fear of God is an attitude of respect, a response of reverence and wonder. It is the only appropriate response to our Creator and Redeemer”.
Faithlife Study Bible
“While “fear” can describe terror or dread (Gen 3:10), the Old Testament use of “fear” often indicates awe or reverence. To fear God is to express loyalty to Him and faithfulness to His covenant. Those who fear God exhibit trust in Him and obedience to His commandments. According to the Old Testament, those who fear God obtain God’s protection, wisdom, and blessing.”
When we fear God, we will respect Him and His Word. We will seek to honor and worship Him in with all of our lives. If we fear God it is because love God in the way that Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38.
There it is, our answer, if we fear God it is because we love Him and the result will be that we will have an intimate relationship with Him.
In addition, the evidence in our life of our love for God or fear of God is our obedience to His Word and our life of worship. What is a life of worship? “Worship means you are determining values; you are deciding what you desire the most. You are fixing priorities and establishing what holds first place in your life.”
So now, let us link the meaning the fear of God (Old Testament) and our love for God (New Testament) to our life of worship.
The fear of God or the love for God in a Christian’s life influences the way values are determined, decisions are made, which are based in God’s Word and are lived out in one’s life.
Luke 11:28, NIV
“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
The fear of God or the love for God in a Christian’s life is an expression of what he or she desires most, to experience and express, which is God.
Matthew 6:33-34, NIV
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
The fear of God or the love for God in a Christian’s life sets priorities and establishes what holds first place in our life.
Luke 14:26, NLT
26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.
A life worth living is a life with purpose and meaning, it is a life that fears God or loves God with their entire being.
Pastor John
He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.
Isaiah 33:6, NIV
John 14:15
15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.
NIV
