September 23, 2023 -- II Corinthians 5:6-11 -- The Proper Fear of the Lord

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So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.
II Corinthians 5:6-11 ESV

The fear of the Lord is such a difficult topic for so many Christians. Verse 11 teaches us that knowing the fear of the prompts us to teach others to fear Him. Currently I am listening through a teaching series given by the Dr. Michael Reeves and his topic is “The Fear of the LORD”. He is making a beautiful distinction between being afraid and the fear of the Lord.

Reeves notes that the fear of God is the proper object of all our fears. The fear of God reins in anxiety. Society having lost the fear of God our culture has become more and more neurotic. Without a Father’s proper care for us, other concerns from safety of the planet, to safety and even facing death become for us cruel and pitiless idols that fill us with anxieties. And this is a real blow to atheism. Liberating people from the fear of God was touted by the atheists to liberate people from fear. But this has all back-fired. “The Fear of the Lord” from the Ligonier teaching podcasts. What a beautiful and succinct summary.

“The fear of God is the soul of godliness”
Professor John Murray.

“The fear of the Lord means the whole worship of God,
all the obedience which we owe unto Him.”
Puritan John Owen

We live in fear of disobeying the LORD our God and in the confident fear of the LORD that He has all things in His hands. Our past and future, our life and our death, our struggles and times of ease, the sustaining of the planet, all things in fact, are in His hands. He is the Source of all Good. What a relief it is to place our fear in Him so that all other fears are relegated to insignificance knowing His powerful work in saving His people through Christ.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the blessing of life and strength, for the confident hope of salvation that is properly placed in Christ, Your beloved Son Who is our Savior. Thank You for the confident fear we have which guards us against disobedience to You and as we are strengthened by Your Spirit helps believers to face a hostile world. Amen.

https://youtu.be/jcp6w4zaW7U?si=aJkZpQtPRzIMG4TJ “When Peace Like a River” Anthem Lights

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