THE FEAR OF THE LORD
The fear of God should also be characteristic of a Christian's attitude. For of the ungodly it is written, "There is no fear of God before their eyes." Rom 3:18 But "since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear." 1Peter 1:17 And Paul writes to the Philippians, "my dear friends, as you have always obeyed— not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence— continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Php 2:12
The fear of God is also assumed by the New Testament authors in motivating the Christian community through warnings. For example Paul writes, "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Gal 5:19-21 Such rhetoric is intended to invoke fear so as to motivate the person to heed the instruction. Thus fear is part of the Christian life, as proverbs also affirms, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Prov 1:7 And "through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil." Prov 16:6
And thus we read in Acts 9:31 "the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord."
("Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men." 2Cor 5:11 )
The fear of God should also be characteristic of a Christian's attitude. For of the ungodly it is written, "There is no fear of God before their eyes." Rom 3:18 But "since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear." 1Peter 1:17 And Paul writes to the Philippians, "my dear friends, as you have always obeyed— not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence— continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Php 2:12
The fear of God is also assumed by the New Testament authors in motivating the Christian community through warnings. For example Paul writes, "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Gal 5:19-21 Such rhetoric is intended to invoke fear so as to motivate the person to heed the instruction. Thus fear is part of the Christian life, as proverbs also affirms, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Prov 1:7 And "through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil." Prov 16:6
And thus we read in Acts 9:31 "the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord."
("Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men." 2Cor 5:11 )
