A Blessed Fear - Fear of the Lord
A Blessed Fear for Believers and the Fear of Bondage for the Rebel-
Fear of the Lord - John Bunyan (paraphrased and expounded upon)
Intro credited to Michael Reeves, Oxford 2018 (Paraphrased excerpts)
“Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.” (Deuteronomy 8:6 NKJV)
The fear of God is a widely misunderstood concept. But when understood properly it is an immense blessing that will bring joy in the Lord.
John Bunyan Writes there are two basic types of fear of God.
Ungodly - This is the fear of the rebel. Adam showed this fear when he hid from the lord.
“Then the man and his wife heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the breeze of the day, and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” (Gen. 3:8 BSB)
They Hid from His presence because of transgression.
It is the same fear devils have, its defining Characteristic being that it drives people away from God.
This is the type of fear that makes you doubt, that makes you hesitate to pray or lay hold of Christ, that makes you reluctant to read God’s Word or be with His people.
Ask yourself what type of fear you have. Are you holding on to sin that is causing this fear? This type of ungodly fear does not have the true effects of the workings of the Spirit of God. It is the spirit of bondage. It's God's promise through His Son Jesus that we are set free from this bondage.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” (Rom. 5:1-2 BSB)
Goodly - The Spirit of God works in believers a godly fear that draws them in wonder to God. This godly fear flows from a sense of the love and kindness of God to the soul. Without that feeling of love and kindness they get from the Lord, they won't be able to enjoy His company, but will only be able to cower before His majesty and justice.
John Bunyan writes this about the blessings of godly fear,
Nothing can put a stronger obligation to commitment on the heart than the fear of God, that is the sense of hope and mercy it bestows.
“I will cleanse them from all their wickedness (guilt) by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon (forgive) all their sins by which they rebelled against Me. Jerusalem will be to Me a name of joy, praise and glory before all the nations of the earth which will hear of all the good that I do for it, and they shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the peace (prosperity, security, stability) that I provide for it.’” (Jer. 33:8-9 AB)
This brings forth true tenderness of heart, true godly softness of spirit. This truly causes your heart to adore God. Our outpouring of true tenderness, softness, and adoration of the affection to God, lies the very essence of godly fear of the Lord. (Paraphrased)
The sense of kindness and mercy God bestows to unworthy, filthy sinners shines the brightest at the preaching of the Cross. This is where we are exposed as sinners and at the same time we hear of God's mercy to sinners.
“But God demonstrates His love to us, that of us being still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8 BSB)
Having ‘the sense of this that God has forgiven a filthy sinner, will make you both rejoice and tremble.
“Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.”
Terrible - Strong's H3372 - to fear, revere, be afraid. to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe. to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe.
What awe and wonder will strike us looking upon this mystery, that while we were yet sinners, He sent His son to give us pardon becoming fruits of His eternal salvation by faith through grace. Walking with Him in Spirit and Truth we never need to be ashamed again.
“And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done,” says the Lord GOD.’ ” (Ezek. 16:62-63 NKJV)
Flea from ungodly fear and rejoice and tremble at the God of Abraham, Isaac ,and Jacob.
John Bunyan simply calls this ‘The Fear’
“Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.” (Gen. 31:42 NKJV)
“The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us.” And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.” (Gen. 31:53 NKJV)
List of a few chapters and verses that will help you understand the fear of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 8 - Remember the Lord your God
“A song of ascents. Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in His ways!” (Ps. 128:1 BSB)
And he said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the One who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters.” (Rev. 14:7 BSB)
“When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecc. 12:13 BSB)
“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear” (1 Peter 1:17 NKJV)
“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Heb. 12:28 KJV)
Fruits of a healthy fear of the Lord and walking in His ways -
Blessings of Obedience - Deuteronomy 28
I will continue to do work on this topic and keep you updated. God bless.
