What we are being saved from, is the WRATH OF GOD and the JUDGMENT of God that is coming to the world. This is only possible through the atonement of Christ that makes reconciliation with the Father possible.
John 3:36 says, "He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him."
This word believes is in present tense and is more than a mental ascent of knowledge. If we say we have faith, but do not have the works that the faith we claim we have produces, then we have merely a mental acknowledgment which will not lead to life everlasting.
Let's look at Colossians 3:5-7 for example: Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience: In the which you also walked some time, when you lived in them. ("when you lived in them =past tense.. you USED TO do some of these things) If we are still doing them, then that alone is a witness against us and we need to address it with the Lord.
We are not guaranteed salvation the moment we say a sinner's prayer or whatever one wants to call it. Let me explain: If we repent and we decide to follow Jesus, this marks the beginning (not the end) of our place in the race, but we in no way have obtained "the magic get out of hell ticket". If we die that day and we were sincere great, but if not then we have a sincere race to run ahead of us. (see Hebrews 12:1-2) Jesus said that those who ENDURE until the end, the same shall be saved. Not 'those who enter the race, the same shall be saved'. Paul says in Philippians 3:14, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Why would Paul be pressing toward the mark of the prize if he already obtained it? Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
The same grace that affords a person the fear of the Lord that causes them to repent, is the same grace by which those fears are relieved. For some, understanding the judgment of God that is coming to the world, and understanding that if judgment came today, they would be on the wrath end of the stick, is just what they need as a wake up call, to soften their stiff necks, while others need the message of compassion. God won't hesitate to use either, if it means He can count you among the living.
Jude 1:22-23 And of some have compassion, making a difference:And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. "
Fear of the Lord is a GOOD THING, not a bad thing. We must understand WHO He is. He is not this fluffy, all loving, marshmallow, frolicking throughout the earth with His all loving wand, depositing fairy dust along His way, winking at our sin, that some make Him out to be. He is HOLY, RIGHTEOUS and a just JUDGE. Sometimes it is this holy fear I believe many lack in the body today. They have made for themselves a God they like rather than receive Him for WHO He is, and as a result, turn the grace of God into lasciviousness, using the blood of Jesus in an unrighteous way, (a license of sorts) to live a carnal sin filled life, deceiving themselves into believing they are going to frolick right into heaven when the time of judgment comes. But Jesus says not every one who calls me Lord shall be entering in! He also says, "why do you call me Lord and do not the things that I say?"
Jesus said to His Disciples, in Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." This is a holy and healthy fear.
Let's see what just some of the Scriptures says about having a healthy Fear of the Lord:
Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Psalm 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Psalm 34:11 Come, you children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endures for ever.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
Proverbs 2:5 Then shall you understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Of course there are many many more, but as you can see, Fear of the Lord is a GOOD thing, not a bad thing, and again the same grace that affords a person the fear of the Lord that brings them to the knowledge of the TRUTH and causes them to repent, is the same grace by which those fears are relieved.
We cannot begin to appreciate the true price that Jesus paid on the cross for us, and what kind of love that is that God would provide such a wonderful gift, a way of escape of His coming wrath and judgment that He must pour out, because He is just and righteous and rather through Christ's atonement, through the shedding of His holy and precious blood, be reconciled unto the Father, because He sent His only begotten Son, and put His wrath upon Him for those who will receive it, until we understand what it is we face otherwise.
Calvin Tyer
