Eternal Laws From God
And Christian Warnings
INTRODUCTION
The fear of the Lord has been summed up as merely having a great reverence or awe toward the Lord. Naturally, if this is the only definition of the word from the Hebrew and Greek translations as it is applied in the hundreds of verses about fearing the Lord, then it is easy to see why every Christian would claim to have godly fear. One problem is that there is another meaning of the word translated “fear.” The meaning by definition and context literally means we should all, whether believer or not, have a strong sense of fear toward God. The other problem is that it completely changes the way we interpret thousands of clear Scriptures if we hold to a false notion or idea like this one.
It is true that He hasn’t given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Did you know that the word for ‘fear’ in that verse from 2 Timothy 1:7 was translated from the Greek word ‘deilia,’ which means cowardice or timidity? Christians who don’t understand why we should fear God often quote this verse in defense of the claims that the word ‘fear’ means more that reverence and awe. The problem with their defense is that the same verse would contradict their own argument if it was to say that God has not given us the spirit of awe and reverence; what sense is there in that?
In truth, there are several Greek and Hebrew words that have been translated into our word ‘fear.’ One of which is ‘phebomai,’ meaning (to be put in fear); alarm or fright: - be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror. Let’s look at some verses that use this word ‘fear’ that has been translated from the Greek word ‘phebomai.’ “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil.2:12).” Why fear and trembling if there is no possibility of a fall and a failure? “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor.7:1).” Perfecting holiness and cleansing ourselves is not what Christians believe today. They say we are only human, not perfect, and it is prideful to think we are able to do so. “Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken (Lk.21:26).” Does this sound like awe and reverence or (to be put in fear); alarm or fright: - be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror?
“10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17And the way of peace have they not known: 18There is no fear of God before their eyes (Rom.3:10-18).” It sounds as if those who are in sin should fear the Lord, but why? “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 23).”
“13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear (1 Pt.1:13-17).” Be sober in order to fight the attacks of the flesh and from the devil (1 Pt.5:8; Gal.5:19-21; 1 Thes.4:7). Be holy as God, meaning to live without sin. Do these things believers, because a righteous God must judge all sin with no partiality, and only past sins are forgiven (Eze.18:24-26; Rom.3:25; 2 Pt.1:8-9; Jas.1:13-16; 1 Jn.2:3-6; 3:4; Rev.2:5, 16; 21-22; 3:3, 19).
Those are but a few verses that make it clear in context that the fear of God we are supposed to have is the same as it sounds. This can be known without finding the original Greek and Hebrew words. So why should a Christian fear the one who loves them unconditionally? What is there to fear? Jesus tells everyone in Luke 12:5 to fear God, which after he has killed the body has the power to cast into hell; yes, Jesus says, fear Him. The only thing to fear from a God who wants to give us all He has ever made is that of His judgment on all sin that He must execute upon all people who die with even one unrepented sin held against them (Eze.18:24-32; Rom.6:16-23; 8:1-13; Gal.5:16-26; Jas.2:10; Rev.21:8; 22:11). What are we claiming to be saved from for those of us whom claim to be saved, if it isn’t God wrath and judgment that comes upon all beings with sin on their account? The following warnings and eternal laws must be known with this fear in mind. It is the fear of God that will be your greatest ally when the enemy comes to tempt you so you will fall in his snare (Eph.6:10-20; 2 Cor.10:3-5; Rom.6:1-8; 8:1-13; Gal.5:16-26; 1 Pt.5:8; Jas.1:12-16; 4:7; Jn.15:18; Mk.16:17).
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