Sometimes we notice a sign on homes or cars that reads, “No fear.” It reminds us of what the Bible says, “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” The believer fears God (that is, he shows reverence or respect) because of His greatness and for what He did in giving His only Son to die for us. The lost may fear God because he knows that his sins deserve judgment, or he may try to convince himself that there is no God to judge his sins.
It is a good thing to have the fear of God always before us, as we read in Proverbs 23:1717Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. (Proverbs 23:17), “Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.” How many times we would have been spared a fall into sin if this admonition had been obeyed!
In the last book of the Old Testament, God’s people had lost the reverence or honor that was due to God. He said, “If then I be a father, where is Mine honor? and if I be a master, where is My fear?” However, there were some among them “that feared the Lord [and] spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name” (Malachi 3:1616Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. (Malachi 3:16)).
Be sure that all who die in their sins will be afraid when they stand before God’s great white throne. It is far better to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour now and then seek to “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:2828Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: (Hebrews 12:28)).
1. What is it that the ungodly do not have before their eyes? Romans 3:___
2. The malefactor who repented said something to the other malefactor about God. What was it? Luke 23:___
3. What is the conclusion of the whole matter and the whole duty of man?
Ecclesiastes 12:___
4. Even though a Christian walks through the valley of the shadow of death, why does he not fear evil? Psalm 23:___
5. What is the beginning of wisdom? Psalm 111:___