Fear God

“Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all.” – Psalms 36:1 NLT

This is the starting point of all of us. We didn’t know God. We did not fear Him or believe Him. Then someone came alongside and began telling us about God. In person. Through a book. Maybe through electronic media. …and we began to have an inkling of our position and status.

Fear is an emotion or passion excited by the apprehension of impending danger. Fear of God can be the reverential awe and respect that comes from knowing His person; His feats, history, actions, attitudes, character, demeanor, and ability, or power, to bring His promises to completion.

The most important thing we can do for other people is to lead them to fear God; that is, to lead them to know, love, and obey the triune God as revealed in the Bible.

How can a person love someone they do not know? How can they respect a person if they know nothing of the meaning behind the name? Many fear God falsely in that they are afraid of inaccurate suppositions of God’s character.

The Bible is full of information about God’s person, purpose, plan, people, and processes.

We can easily miss knowing God as we read the Bible with a focus on people and ourselves rather than the character of God, as He has revealed Himself to us.

People may receive from church people all kinds of practical information from the Bible which can govern all aspects of life. However, if all that people gain from us is information and knowledge, then they someday may hear these words from our Savior, “I never knew you…” Matthew 7:23

My point is that we need to show people the glory of God. We all need to know Him and believe Him. He is the main character of His book. He is the Author of every good and perfect gift. He is the person who deserves our attention and recognition most.

Solomon tells us the importance of recognizing and responding to God in Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NLT) “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

In contrast, God’s indictment of even His own people is that they do not have this recognition of Him. God’s condemnation of the wicked is that they have no fear of God. Romans 3:18

Fear of God is the foundation of knowledge. Proverbs 1:7

In Proverbs 2:1-5, the Psalmist tells us how to acquire the fear of the Lord. We search for it in His written word. We tune our ears to it. We cry out for it and search for it like hidden treasure.

The fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom (the proper use of knowledge). Proverbs 9:10

Fear of God comes from recognition of His glory. It comes by faith. It comes from believing Him is such a way as to change our own beliefs and behavior.

Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! – Psalms 33:8

It is the glory of God that the enemy seeks to hide. It is His glory that has been revealed to us who believe. That is what we have in our earthen vessels to share with other people. 2 Corinthians 4:3-7

God has said to all humanity the fear of the Lord is true wisdom. Job 28:28

God’s rebuke to Israel was that they do not know Him. Jeremiah 4:22

God has revealed that knowing Him is more important than wealth, power, or wisdom, Jeremiah 9:23-24

In His high priestly prayer Jesus revealed that eternal life is to know God and Jesus Christ. John 17:3

Solomon was the wisest man. In his personification of wisdom, wisdom rebukes the simple and the scornful because they hate knowledge of God and would not choose to fear God. Proverbs 1:22, Proverbs 1:29

On the other hand, God tells us that the person who fears the Lord is blessed. Psalm 112:1

If people have a low view of God, it may be because nobody took the time to show them God’s glory. Each of us, believers and unbelievers alike, will give an account to God for the things that we have done. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11, Revelation 20:12

Sometimes people come to us with questions. While they are listening and willing to learn, the most important thing we can do with the time they give to us is to reveal the glory of God. He is the treasure.

One of the best ways I know to do that is to teach people through the first series of the Establish course: Establish 101.

Since most people lose interest over time due to life distractions, try to move through the entire course as quickly as possible, before your audience gets wrapped in peripheral or side issues. If you can move through the course at a rate of at least two to three lessons per week, you will find their interest will remain high and the audience will be in awe of God as they learn about Him. (Each video lesson is between 25 and 50 minutes each, with most around 40 minutes. The entire course is a commitment of less than 22 hours of video, which is not much of an investment for a life-long worldview change based on God’s written word!

(Going through the printed Establish materials will take twice as long, but will give you closer discipleship type relationships with your audience where you can speak to specific questions that arise.)

Establish 101 – video series – Playlist & Attendance Worksheet
Click the photos below.

Here is more information about foundational Bible teaching, why teaching in this manner is important, and other resources that are available for differing audiences. stilluntold.org/basis/#foundations

The fear of the Lord will lead us toward goodness and righteousness. It will lead us to invest our lives in ways that will bring us joy rather than shame. It will lead us to live for the benefit of other people and to lay up treasure in heaven. It will lead us toward generosity and selfless sacrifice for the eternal well-being of other people and for the glory of God.

It will lead us toward obedience in holy living into our daily lives. It will lead us to value what God values, taking us to the ends of the earth to proclaim His glory where His name is still unknown.

God, Man, Sin, Redemption, Rooting, Purpose, Plan, Eternity