Fear of God makes the difference

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The Bible frequently speaks of the fear of God. Most Christians are aware that this topic is a central aspect of their faith. But what is truly important in this regard? And what is really important to God?

“You have spoken harsh words against me!” declares the Lord. “But you ask, ‘What have we said to one another against you?’ You have said, ‘It is in vain to serve God, and what does it profit us to keep his statutes and to walk in mourning before the Lord Almighty? And now we consider the arrogant blessed; for those who practice lawlessness stand upright, and those who have tested God escaped!” Then those who feared the Lord conferred among themselves, and the Lord took heed and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him for those who fear the Lord and hold his name in high esteem. “They will be my chosen possession,” declares the Lord Almighty, “on the day I prepare. I will spare them as a father spares his own son who serves him. Then you will see again the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between the righteous and the wicked.” to him who serves God and to him who does not serve him” (Malachi 3:13-18).

The Book of the Prophet Malachi describes a situation that greatly displeases God. Tragically, the people largely fail to recognize this situation! God repeatedly criticizes their false worship: harsh words spoken against Him, a defiled altar that brings contempt upon God's name, and so on.

Yet each time, people react with seemingly clueless questions: 'With what?' – 'How?' This reveals an attitude that clearly contradicts worship pleasing to God. God makes it unmistakably clear that such a form of worship should not take place at all.

“Let one of you shut the doors of the temple immediately, so that you do not kindle my altar fire in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord Almighty, and the offering that comes from your hands is not pleasing to me!” (Malachi 1:10).

The search for the cause

How can our sacrifice to God have such a false result?

“But you have turned aside from the way; you are the cause of many falling away from the law; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the Lord Almighty. “Therefore I have made you contemptible and worthless in the sight of all the people, because you have not kept my ways, but have shown partiality in the application of the law” (Malachi 2:8-9).

It even went so far that those involved in worship were held in contempt because they neglected crucial aspects of their service. These aspects, however, are of central importance from God's perspective. If God is not pleased with us—that is, with our attitude, with the state of our hearts—then He has no need for offerings. Then the entire ministry seems futile. For God is unwilling to accept a ministry that does not stem from genuine reverence for God. But how can this be applied to our situation today? How might such a state be reflected in our time?

One characteristic that has been overlooked here, yet runs like a common thread and is mentioned in every chapter, is a very specific attitude that God urgently desires to see in our lives. It is something upon which so much in our spiritual life depends. To describe it merely as a good virtue is probably too simplistic; rather, it reveals an entire way of life.

The fear of God protects us, for just as He is in the light, so too should we live in the light and have fellowship with one another.

Fear of God in the Christian life

“If I am Lord, where is the fear of me?” (Malachi 1:6). Fearing God does not mean being paralyzed with fear and dread, fearing punishment for every transgression, although a certain awareness of accountability and responsibility is necessary. Rather, it is about a certain fundamental attitude that should clearly influence my relationship with God. It is about worship that is fitting and pleasing to God, worship that truly honors Him. Depending on the Bible translation, this is described in many places in the Bible using terms like piety and godliness.

If praise and worship in our church services are not characterized by the fear of God, they become carnal and empty. Unbridled joy needs to be balanced by the fear of God.

“Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling” (Ps 2:11).

“But I, by your great grace, shall enter your house; I will worship, turning toward your holy temple, in awe of you” (Ps 5:8).

Proclamation of the Word in the fear of God

Even a sermon without the fear of God risks becoming mere entertainment, amusement, and pandering to the masses. This is because the true meaning and purpose—the living vision of God—are lost. The fear of God keeps our Lord always in his rightful place, in glory and honor on His throne, and protects him from a distorted image of God. Where worship loses its anointing and resorts to entertaining alternatives to entice people with various worldly methods, the fear of God has most certainly been lost.

“My covenant with him was life and peace, and I gave him both, so that he would fear me, and he feared me and revered my name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and nothing corrupt was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he brought many to repentance from iniquity. For the lips of a priest shall preserve knowledge, and from his mouth the law shall be sought, for he is an messenger of the Lord Almighty” (Malachi 2:5-7).

To convey the word of God as faithfully and truthfully as possible, reverence for His name is needed, so as not to please people, to readily compromise, and to give in to the reputation of the person.

Real knowledge of God in the current world

“And since you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to what each person has done, conduct yourselves in fear while you are exiles here. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the worthless way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:17-19).

The Apostle Peter's exhortation to walk in the fear of God is framed here by two statements. First, that God shows no partiality, and second, that we must keep the price of salvation in mind. A genuine awareness of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ always leads to the fear of God, not to an expansion of tolerance or the acceptance of more transgressions that God has already forgiven. No, that would be an abuse of grace. A true understanding of the abundant grace of God leads to a different state.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It disciplines us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12).

This is a state that still possesses a clear capacity for discernment in the present world, since such a life is characterized by fear of God.

Announcement with fear and trembling

“So, my brothers and sisters, when I came to you, I did not come proclaiming the testimony about God to you with eloquent words or wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and with much fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

What filled the Apostle Paul with fear and trembling here? Certainly not stage fright or the worry of being judged wrongly by people. Rather, it was the longing to proclaim a gospel that had the cross at its center. He was worried about cheapening the gospel, because attention might be focused more on eloquent speech. No, for faith to be founded on God's power and the manifestation of the Spirit, the cross of Jesus must remain at the center, and that filled him with fear and trembling before God, his commander.

How does this affect our everyday lives?

My wife and I often sing a very simple song at home with our young children. Its meaning is very profound and helps even the little ones develop a clear understanding of the fear of God. "Pay attention, little eye, to what you see... little ear, to what you hear... little hand, to what you do..." Why is this? "Because the Father in heaven is watching over you." David expresses it so beautifully in one of his psalms.

For me, this has become a very personal definition of fear of God, which could hardly be formulated better: “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (Ps 16:8).

Furthermore, a tremendous promise is included here! As long as the Lord remains before our eyes, we will not waver. If we are honest, it is always in those moments when we allow ourselves to look at or listen to defileing things that we lose sight of the Lord! We lose sight of Him and also of Him, and the rest is a logical consequence.

“Because they were not concerned to have God in their minds, God gave them over to a depraved mind to do what is worthless” (cf. Rom 1:28 – literally translated from the Russian).

Example from pastoral care

An engaged couple once came to pastoral care with a clear confession: they had crossed certain boundaries. "Yes, you were seen," the brother told them. Their faces contorted in horror. "By whom? Your parents? Neighbors? Friends?" But the answer was always: "No." – "Then by whom? Who could have seen us?" – " Jesus saw you ," was finally the revealing answer.

On the one hand relieved, but at the same time deeply ashamed, the two had to acknowledge what they were being taught here. Isn't it often a sign of the poverty of our faith that we try to save face in front of others – but precisely where no one is looking, in secret or apparent privacy, we disregard the omnipresent and all-seeing God? That is an expression of a lack of fear of God.

Once, my wife was hurt by a harsh answer I gave her. She said to me, "If our church leader had been standing here, you wouldn't have answered me like that." Oh, how true and shameful. That's one of the crucial questions I often ask young people in these situations: "Would you have seen, heard, or done that if I had been in your room?" "No!" "And if your parents had been there?" "No, never!" But what about Jesus? Jesus is here, He sees and hears everything; before Him a book of remembrance is written. For the wicked, for judgment; for the God-fearing, for comfort.

A Life in the Light

The fear of God means living a conscious life in the light. What does that mean? A life that remains visible and transparent, especially before the eyes of the Most High, from whom nothing escapes.

“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but everything is unveiled and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). During a youth trip, I tried to illustrate something to the young people. I asked, “Can someone lend me their smartphone?” Someone answered, “Sure.” I said, “I need the PIN or fingerprint. Can you give me that too?” Oh, that's when things got tricky. Why? Would things come to light that not everyone should know? Things that would make you ashamed? Useless chat histories on social media or countless shorts and video histories that you've made a mess of? Pictures with immoral content and apps that waste so much time. Is what we're trying to hide light or darkness? As long as something remains in darkness, we risk being condemned. But as soon as it comes to light, acquittal beckons. Let's examine this practically: How does Jesus view our smartphone use?

In a pastoral conversation, a brother told me the following: “My wife and I have a shared account on our smartphones. This means she sees everything I look at, and I see everything she looks at. This is how we protect each other. The fear of God protects us, because just as He is in the light, so we should live in the light and have fellowship with one another.” “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

“Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life, who longs for days when he sees good things? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:12-15)

“The Lord knows how to save those who fear him from temptation, but to keep the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment” (2 Peter 2:9).

Protection from sin

The fear of God protects against sexual promiscuity, a loose tongue, hasty decisions, arrogance, and false self-confidence. Thus, the fear of God contains tremendous protection and a multitude of divine promises. “Therefore, since we have these promises, beloved, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, bringing holiness to its fullness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).

To preserve holiness and maintain it permanently, the fear of the Lord is the crucial guide. Through it, we can clearly discern what pleases and displeases God, and what can have fellowship with Him and what cannot. The following crucial questions should always accompany us: What would Jesus think of this? How would He act? How does God view this matter?

Subordination as an important component of the fear of God

“Submit to one another out of reverence for God” (Ephesians 5:21). Another societal problem arising from a lack of reverence for God is the increasing difficulty of submission. This problem permeates all areas of life: in the workplace between employers and employees, in schools between teachers and students, between the older and younger generations, in the church, and in the family—between spouses as well as between parents and children.

Everywhere, the willingness to consciously submit to a divinely ordained order seems to have become a huge problem. What is the reason for this? A lack of fear of God! To resolve conflicts or disagreements, God has given us the wonderful gift of "submission," which is unfortunately so often misunderstood. Authorities are not viewed in the light of God, but rather questioned through self-serving and self-aggrandizing motives.

Here too, through the fear of God, everything falls back into its rightful place, if we are willing to set aside our own needs and surrender everything to God. We don't fight to the bitter end for our rights, even when we are treated unjustly. God sees it! He knows best. Will He not intervene if we surrender everything to Him? Yes, I fear God.

Joseph, when his brothers feared his revenge, said, “Am I in God’s place?” (Genesis 50:19). With this statement, Joseph reveals to his brothers his virtuous heart, which throughout the years had been characterized by the fear of God. They intended to harm him, but God turned it into good! This is the wisdom of the fear of God, which does not lament the intimidating beginning of a matter but rejoices in its glorious end. This is how the God-fearing find comfort. 

“You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in the way of the blind, but you shall fear your God ; I am the Lord!” (Leviticus 19:14).

“You shall rise before the gray-headed and honor the person of an old man; and you shall fear your God. I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:32).

“Therefore, no one shall wrong his neighbor; but you shall fear your God , for I, the Lord, am your God!” (Leviticus 25:17).

In the Book of Leviticus, God gives His people a standard for an excellent moral and ethical life together – especially in their treatment of the vulnerable members of society, such as the elderly, the sick, and those in financial need. But why should they conform to this standard? God also provides the answer: “You shall fear your God!” In all areas, this is the decisive point that should decisively inform our behavior.

Fear of God in prayer life

“During the days of his life on earth, he offered up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and because of his fear of God he was heard” (Hebrews 5:7).

Most often, we attribute the answering of our prayers to faith, which is correct. However, faith includes the fear of God as an essential component, because the fear of God in our prayer doesn't simply prioritize our personal needs, but rather the things God deems necessary. This fundamentally changes our prayer and creates a completely different kind of impact. In this way, we enable God to intervene decisively in our lives. Didn't Jesus Christ clearly demonstrate this to us in the Garden of Gethsemane?

“And he tore himself away from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if you will take this cup from me—yet not my will, but yours be done!’ And an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And he was in agony and prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:41-44).

Yes, He was heard in an overwhelming way, enabling Him to persevere and make the salvation of mankind possible. Praise be to Jesus!

If praise and worship in our church services are not characterized by fear of God, they become carnal and empty.

The correct result

How is our personal fear of God fostered? How can we clothe ourselves with it? It certainly has something to do with our personal relationship with Jesus! From this grows our real understanding of Him, which keeps us in reverence for Him.

“My son, if you accept my words and keep my commandments within you, if you lend your ear to wisdom and turn your heart to understanding, if you pray for understanding and plead for insight, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and gain the knowledge of God” (Prov 2:1-5).

If we seek Him personally, consistently, and also with self-sacrifice in His Word and in prayer, He will reward us with an understanding of the fear of God!

Solomon comes to an important conclusion at the end of the book of Ecclesiastes: “ Let us hear the sum total of all the doctrine: Fear God and keep his commandments , for this is the whole of mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Much can be learned and taught, and one can study many things intensively. But if everything is added up and the bottom line doesn't show a fear of God, we should check our calculations again. We may have omitted something important or included something incorrectly, thus distorting our total. The sum of all teaching should produce the fear of God .

Even today, and in the final reckoning, the fear of God will make a decisive difference. May Jesus help us and our congregations to follow God in a pleasing way.

 

“So the churches throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace and were built up. They walked in the fear of the Lord and grew with the help of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:31).

Andreas Kellinger

Municipality of Irslingen-Neukirch