The Fear of The Lord :: By Bill Pierce

Published on: July 14, 2021 by RR7

THE LORD’S GREATEST TREASURE

The Lord Jesus Christ asked, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). The prophet Isaiah declared: “…the fear of the LORD is his treasure” (Isaiah 33:6). The most blessed and beneficial of all the LORD’S treasures regarding the salvation of men’s souls is the fear of the LORD!

BLESSINGS OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD

The following scriptures emphasize the exceeding great blessings that come upon all them that have the fear of the LORD:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever” (Psalm 111:10).

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility” (Proverbs 15:33).

“The fear of the LORD is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding” (Job 28:28). And “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” (Proverbs 16:16).

“The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:9).

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).

“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate” (Proverbs 8:13).

“The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened” (Proverbs 10:27; Ephesians 6:1-2).

“The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil” (Proverbs 19:23).

“In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:26-27).

“Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith” (Proverbs 15:16).

“By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life” (Proverbs 22:4).

ADDITIONAL REASONS TO FEAR THE LORD

It is a great treasure within every believer — The apostle Paul declared “unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia” (2Corinthians 1:1): “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2Corinthians 4:6-7; 7:15; 1Corinthians 2:3).

The mystery which was hid from ages and from generations “now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:25-27); and in Christ “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:1-3).

Therefore, in the apostle’s letter “to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (Philippians 1:1) we read: “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13; Ephesians 6:5-6)!

We are commanded to fear without ceasing — Moses spoke to the children of Israel, and said: “…the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children” (Deuteronomy 4:10); “And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day” (Deuteronomy 6:24). Solomon commanded his son: “Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long” (Proverbs 23:17).

The Lord commands all men to fear him for their good! — Moses commanded Israel “to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day” (Deuteronomy 6:24; 10:20; Joshua 24:14; 1Samuel 12:24). God’s word commands: “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones” (Proverbs 3:7-8); and: “Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him” (Psalm 33:8). Therefore the faithful psalmist prayed to the LORD: “Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear” (Psalm 119:38).

King Solomon, “the Preacher” (Ecclesiastes 12:10), wrote: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). The righteous fear God and keep his commandments. They are not like those among the Samaritans who “feared the LORD, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places. They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence” (2Kings 17:32-33).

To receive God’s mercy — “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him” (Psalm 103:11).

The fear of the Lord is taught and understood by the word of God — David wrote: “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD” (Psalm 34:11). And his son Solomon wrote: “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1-5).

The LORD commanded, when the king of Israel “sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel” (Deuteronomy 17:18-20).

Moses commanded the priests to read the law to all the people every seven years, “that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it” (Deuteronomy 31:9-13; 2Kings 17:28). That his people may escape the Lord’s fearful judgment — The psalmist declared: “My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments” (Psalm 119:120).

The apostle declared to believers: “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:26-31).

To escape the LORD’S chastening — Moses commanded the children of Israel: “Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him” (Deuteronomy 8:5-6).

To bring pleasure to the LORD — All things were created by the Lord for his pleasure (Revelation 4:11); and “The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy” (Psalm 147:11).

To worship rightly — David declared: “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple” (Psalm 5:7).

To serve the LORD according to his will — The word of God commands: “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:11). Servants are commanded: “be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;” (Ephesians 6:5-6). Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling” (1Corinthians 2:3). Paul also wrote to them and said that the inward affection of Titus for them “is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him” (2Corinthians 7:14-16).

To receive the LORD’S goodness — “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” (Psalm 31:19).

To prove your love for the LORD — Regarding a false prophet who would entice them to go after other gods to serve them, Moses told the children of Israel: “Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him” (Deuteronomy 13:1-4).

To understand secrets — “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant” (Psalm 25:14).

To remain under God’s special care and protection — “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine” (Psalm 33:18-19). Furthermore: “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him” (Psalm 34:7-9; 85:9). To receive the LORD’S pity (Psalm 103:13) and his great everlasting mercy, “and his righteousness unto children’s children” (Psalm 103:17, 11; Luke 1:50).

To obtain spiritual comfort — “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied” (Acts 9:31).

To perfect holiness — “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2Corinthians 7:1).

Fear not man — The fear of men is a curse (Jeremiah 17:5-6). David, a man after God’s own heart (1Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), declared: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me” (Psalm 56:3-4); and again, David wrote: “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me” (Psalm 56:11). Another psalmist declared: “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” (Psalm 118:6). The Lord Jesus commanded his disciples: “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” (Matthew 10:28).

The wicked choose not to fear the LORD — To the man who refuses to regard the counsel and reproof of the word of God, the LORD says: “I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof” (Proverbs 1:24-30).

When God roots the wicked out of the land of the living, “The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness” (Psalm 52:1-7).

CONCLUSION

Last word to believers — David said: “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes…” (Psalm 36:1-2). The Lord prophesied, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2Timothy 3:13). It is obvious to believers in these last days that perilous times have come (2Timothy 3:1), for there are many that hate God and certainly do not fear him! May the Lord teach us to fear him that we might enjoy the great benefits that result from the fear of the LORD.

Last word to unbelievers — Unbelievers are “condemned already” (John 3:18-19). If you are an unbeliever, I hope that you will read the gospel according to John, which was written “that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). I hope that you will “Fear God, and keep his commandments…” to “Repent” (Acts 17:30), and to “believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ” (1John 3:23), that you will be saved (Acts 16:31) and “escape the damnation of hell” (Matthew 23:33)!

Stop “Acting” Like a Christian :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: July 11, 2021 by RR7

“For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?” (Job 27:8).

I’ve often wondered about actors and actresses. Do they really know who they are? So often, they will play a role of a person of high moral standards and integrity, but in reality, their own lifestyle is very different. The other side of that is when a Christian who is an actor or actress uses words and actions in a movie that denies their faith, how will God judge them? “It’s just a role,” they say. “It was the character who said the words and lived that lifestyle, not me.” I don’t see things that way. How can you justify pretending to be what you aren’t? Which is the pretend role? The one where you say you’re a Christian, or the one on stage that others see?

“For what shall it profit a man, he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

The word “hypocrite” is used many times in Scripture and never as a compliment. In Hebrew, the word is “hanep” and means “hypocritical, godless, profane, hypocrite, irreligious.” It denotes someone who acts pious as if they honor God, but their true character is just the opposite. It’s first used in Job by one of his “friends” who calls him a hypocrite.” In the first chapter of Job, we meet a man who is very religious. He goes through all the right rituals to show his godliness.

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil” (Job 1:1).

That sounds like a decent man. He had seven sons, three daughters, and much wealth. The sons and daughters liked to party together, and Job would call them after their party to sanctify them and offer burnt sacrifices for them.

“It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually” (Job 1:5b).

It seems as if Job had a true heart to honor God, but that always makes Satan unhappy, and those who try to do right in the eyes of the Lord become a target. So it was for Job. Satan asked God for permission to test Job, and God allowed it. Satan put Job through a very rough time. Job lost his wealth, and his sons and daughters all died in one day.

“Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, and said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:20-21).

Job seems like a very decent man who was a victim of Satan’s hatred. “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1:22).

How many times have you heard people, even Christians, blame God for their ill health or the death of a loved one? Have you ever blamed God for bad things that happen? There’s a big difference between God allowing things to happen and God making them happen. Everyone has trials and testing, but we need to honestly love God through it all.

Satan wasn’t done with his evil toward Job. Job’s health failed, and he was covered in boils. At this point, even Job’s wife began to mock his faith.

“Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die” (Job 2:9).

Job’s wife mocked him for remaining faithful to God and thought it would be better if he turned against God and died. It seems as if she was used of Satan to cause Job more suffering. The same is true of some of his friends who heard of his trouble and came to visit him.

“…for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort Him” (Job 2:11b).

They brought more hurt and sorrow to Job rather than comfort. They were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. Each man took his turn at explaining to Job just how bad of a person he was and why he deserved all the troubles he faced. By the time they came to visit, Job was already feeling that death would be the only answer to his sorrows.

Eliphaz spoke first and chided Job about encouraging others in their time of trials, but now that he was facing troubles, he was losing heart. Eliphaz pointed out that nobody who was innocent ever perished. Eliphaz accused Job of doing many ungodly things. Eliphaz didn’t cheer Job up at all and made him more depressed.

Then Bildad had a go. He pointed out that Job wasn’t as good and upright as he thought himself to be because God would protect him from the troubles if he were. Nowhere in Scripture do we find that people who love and honor God are exempt from trials and tribulations. In chapter 1, we saw that Job loved God and cared deeply about his children’s welfare, but Satan destroyed everything. Bildad was very pointed in telling Job that he was only acting as if he had faith and that he deserved all of the troubles and heartache he had been suffering through.

“Can the rush grow up without mire? Can the flag grow without water? Wilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb. So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s home shall perish:” (Job 8:11-13).

Does Job seem like a hypocrite? Was he just acting as if he honored God? Only God truly knew Job’s heart, but his friends judged him as a man who was just acting a part and not truly believing what he professed.

The pounding Job received from his friends caused him to look at his life. Were they right? Should he curse God and die, as his wife suggested? What Job found out about himself is that he trusted God.

“Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will. Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand? Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him” (Job 13:13-16).

Job was confident that he wasn’t a hypocrite and that even if God allowed him to die, he would trust in the Lord and keep serving Him as he always had.

As Christians, we need to be sure the faith we profess with our mouth isn’t hypocritical. Do you sacrifice an hour on Sunday morning to sit in a pew as a show to others? When you get home, what do you watch on television or google on the internet? Do your children hear you cussing and criticizing others? Jesus talked about criticizing others while ignoring our own shortcomings.

“Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5).

In Greek, the word “hypokrites” is translated hypocrite, and is an actor, stage player, a pretender. Are you acting like a Christian with no honesty in your faith? Do you go through the motions with no conviction in your heart? If so, then stop acting like a Christian and be one. Let Jesus into your heart, and let Him rule your words and actions.

What is a Christian? The Apostle Paul said, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).

You may have said the right words, but God knows if you truly meant them. People around you will judge your Christian faith by how you behave…your actions and words. Every non-believer is an expert on how Christians should behave. They judge us more harshly than God does.

Our righteousness is through Jesus, not our own righteousness. God has forgiven our sins, but our actions can stumble people who have no faith or little faith. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and surrender your life to Him. Honor Him with all you do. Our life should be a testimony of our salvation, so if you’re a hypocrite and say “I’m a Christian” but act in a different way, then which is the truth? If you’re acting as if you serve Christ, then you’re just pretending you’re a Christian. Stop acting, take up your cross, and be a true follower of Christ. Give your heart to Christ and glorify Him in all you do. Stop acting.

Born-Again Christians know that we are no better than other sinners, but we are sinners saved by grace. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; And that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto Good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Because the grace of God has brought salvation, that grace needs to rule our life. “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?… For as the body without spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead” (James 2:20 & 26).

If you think good works make you a Christian, and you haven’t truly given your heart to Christ, you’re just acting like a Christian, and your works are all wood, hay, and stubble which will be burned on the day you stand before Christ.

Job’s friends saw him as a man who was going through the motions of faith but not truly loving God. “For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery. They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit” (Job 15:34-35).

Eliphaz just couldn’t stop calling Job a hypocrite. I wonder how Job acted to make his friends see a hypocrite rather than a man who loved God. What do your friends see in you? An actor…a hypocrite? Or someone who truly loves Jesus with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength? If you sit in a pew on Sunday and act like a Christian, but come Monday, you act like the world, which act shows your heart? Living for Jesus or living for the world? What jokes do you laugh at? What words do you use? What movies do you watch? Stop embracing a worldly life and truly give your life to Christ.

People around you are watching. Your children, your friends, and your family have heard you profess Christ with your mouth, but do they see your actions and hear your words and perceive you to be a hypocrite? If so, it’s time to stop acting like a Christian and be one.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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