Bible Text: Deut. 32:1-6, 15-20; Prov. 8:13; Eccl. 12:13,14 |  

INTRODUCTION: The fear of God is one attribute that no person who claims to have anything to do with God or who hopes to be with Him at the end of life, can afford to toy with. Every person that is a father or master expects some measure of fear from his children or servants. (cp. Mal.1:6). Fear of God is a key factor in obedience to God. Obedience to the word is the hallmark of righteousness/holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (cp. Heb. 12:14). And because of the critical role of fear in such obedience, we are bidden to look into this attribute of fear of God in some details and the role faith in God plays in it. The message is divided into two points: 1.   Fear Of God, A Proof Of Godliness and   2.   Faith In God, A Precursor Of Fear Of God.

 

Fear Of God, A Proof Of Godliness (Neh. 5:15; Jb. 1:8)

Fear of God is both a cause and an effect of righteousness/godliness. That is to say, while fear of God yields godliness/righteousness, godliness/righteousness leads to fear of God (Neh. 5:15; Jb. 1:8; Gen. 42:18-20; 1Pt. 1:17). One who fears God will hate sin and every appearance of it (Prov. 8:13). Fear of God leads to keeping His commandments and walking in righteousness (Eccl. 12:13). Those who don’t have the fear of God in their lives go on to please themselves and enjoy their flesh (Rom. 3:13-18). But that is really an unfortunate state of life (cons. Eccl. 11:7-10). The good and godly will do all things with the fear of God (cons. Gen. 42:18-20; 1Pt. 1:17).

 

It is the one who serves the Lord in fear and obedience that He will accept eventually, not those who claim to be serving God and yet ‘put Him in the pocket,’ as it were (Acts. 10:35). They take things for granted, presuming that Aonce saved, always saved@ (the doctrine of eternal security). They forget that whosoever remains in sin after having had name written in the book of life, will have it blotted out (Ex. 32:31-33). If any fails to walk in fear before this Person that did not spare the angels that sinned, and did not spare the world of Noah (2Pt. 2:4-5); Who refused Moses entry into the promised land because just at one point he did not do exactly what He was commanded (cons. Num. 20:8-13; Deut. 34:4), the individual will face eternal damnation. Little wonder Paul the apostle lived with such caution (cp. 1Cor. 9:27).

 

Faith In God, A Precursor Of Fear Of God (Deut. 32:1-6, 15-20).

From this text, it is clear that the children of Israel continually went a whoring and rebellious because they had no faith in Him. After God had manifested Himself greatly to them (both in Egypt and in the wilderness) that they might know, believe and fear Him, they did not. Therefore, God=s anger was kindled against them. He described them as a froward generation, children in whom is no faith (Deut. 32:1-6, 15-20).

 

Faith in the context means strong confidence in God and clear awareness of His existence. It also means strong confidence and implicit trust in His word (cp. Heb. 11:1-6). There is no person who has faith in the revelations of the Holy Scriptures who will not walk in fear of God (1Pt. 1:17).  It is an irony to find people today that purport to be giants in the faith; who appear to be doing some great things indeed and yet exhibit lives that show that there is no fear of God in them. If that is faith in God at all, it must be unwholesome faith. True and wholesome faith in God and in the revealed word will definitely produce fear of God.

 

How will somebody believe in what the Bible reveals concerning the immortality of the human soul, the wages of sin, the length of eternity, the conditions for being with God eternally, the nature of man, the condition in which he comes into this world, the immutability of God and of His counsel, and yet not fear God? (cp. 1Pt. 1:17).

 

The truly believing will surely fear. It is clear that those who live anyhow, emulating whosoever, are children in whom is no faith (Deut. 32:15-20) and their end is horrible except they repent (cp. Lk. 13:24-30).

Rise and let us pray.            Fellowship Songs: (HSCF 115 & 159)