Thursday, October 8, 2009

The Fear of the Lord (A recap)

The Seven Objectives #1 Fear God

(This is a recap of an earlier post for the sake of continuity in the series)

Ec 12:13* Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.


The Bible is our Final Authority in faith and practice.


Some might hear that statement and get all spiritual and say, "No, God is my final authority!"

I understand that; but the Bible says, " I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." (Ps 138:2) Besides, how does God express Himself to you outside of His Word.


But the Bible is so massive; It's truths are unfathomable.

We can never fully deplete all of the wealth and wisdom of the Scripture; how do we comprehend it all? I believe everything a Christian is supposed to do, say, feel or think can be summed up in seven objectives. If I can get you to grasp these seven objectives, I believe you can get a good grasp on walking with God, living for God, dwelling in Him and understanding His will on a daily basis.


I believe every aspect of the Christian life is covered by these seven objectives: Note: in Scripture, seven is the number of perfection.


Seven Objectives:

Fear God

Obey God

Please God

Praise God

Glorify God

Trust God

Love God


The Book of Deuteronomy teaches the purpose of God's Laws

(Note: This is the Law of Moses rendered again to the second generation before entering the Promised land)

De 6:2* That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

De 6:13* Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.


The Book of Ecclesiastes gives us the motivation to fear God.

Ec 3:14* I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

Ec 8:12* Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:


Folks used to say, "He is a God-fearing man." or "I'm a God-fearing man." That's not bragging to say that. But we don't hear that any more. This is a lost doctrine to most Christians. In the oldest book of the Bible, Job, God brags on Job for being a God-fearing man.


And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Job 1:8

First command we find in the Psalms is to fear the Lord.

Ps 2:11* Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.


To fear God is our primary objective.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God, and keep his commandments:

for this is the whole duty of man. Ec 12:13*


Why is this the primary objective? Why fear first? Because without it, there is no motive for the other six objectives.


Ps 34:11* Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.


What is it to fear God?

The word means more than reverential respect. It means fear. The book of Hebrews says:


For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:9)


God is not an angry agent of doom waiting to throw lightening bolts at us. Neither is He a tottering old beneficent "Grampaw" up in Heaven waiting to give us candy when we visit. God is as powerful as He is personal. I have to understand that God has expectations of me.


To fear God simply means to choose behave with an awareness of God response to our actions.

If we are to be successful as God's people, we must once again become God-fearing people.


Just a thought, thank you for reading.

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