I’ve been meditating the last few days on Psalm 119, beautiful Truths of God’s Word. Various Synonyms are used by, probably David in this Psalm.
Verse 120 stands out this morning, “My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your Judgements.” These kinds of verses cause many Christians to become uncomfortable. We think, “Jesus is love” heavily without the balance of being “afraid” of His Judgements.
While we don’t have a “phobia” of God’s judgement because Jesus became our propitiation. We cannot just think living anyway we want because we have the title “Christian” is ok, “cuz I’m saved.”
The Word warns continually of apostasy, in OT and in NT, 1 Timothy, Hebrew 3:12-24, Luke 11-13. I know Believers hate the term “lose your salvation,” and I’m not writing to necessarily debate the term I’m just communicating the warning of Scripture about Apostasy that is replete. Yep, warns, again and again.
How does the former from Psalm 119 fit into the warnings about Apostasy throughout Scripture? I believe having a correct understanding of the “FEAR OF GOD!”
1. It’s not a caricature of a person sinning and losing their salvation, which has led so many to a phobia about sin and salvation. Absolutely Not!
We all stumble in many ways. That’s what James reminds us of. John tells us we have a Just and Righteous God standing ready to forgive. Yet we must recognize our sin or we risk calling him a liar.
Just blatantly living in Sin for a Christian is NOT fearing God. That’s a dangerous place to be. It’s not my place to say what happens to that relationship. Jesus does say, “If You love me, you will keep my Commandments,” John 15:14. Perfectly? No, again we all stumble in many ways.
However for His Disciples, caring if we sin against God matters.
2. It’s also not some prayer we repeated when we were kids and think we are now going to heaven while living any kind of life. Folks call that “fire insurance” I’ve looked for that and can’t find that kind of security in Scripture.
On my way from picking up my grandchildren Thursday I was behind a car, both of us at speeds of 75-80 on a 75 MPH highway. There were cops all over. I knew after seeing the first officer I needed to be in a right relationship with Him. I decided to place my self in submission to the Officers I passed over and over.
The car in front of me may have been doing the speed limit but was unsure of his relationship with the Officer. Each time we passed a Cop car, he or she hit the brakes. I never looked at my speed, I never hit my brakes😊. I knew I was in a right relationship, because I put on my cruise control. After a few brakes from the car in front I had to take my cruise control off. That put me in a precarious situation because I had to watch my speed more carefully. I could have kept up with the driver in front of me. But I wasn’t sure if he was honoring the officers who held our “money” in his or her hands. I chose to drive with a fear that kept me conscious of my speed instead of just following another.
The front driver continued to hit brakes after 4 officers, I kept my eye humbly on what the law required, and with joy, as we passed the officers I knew I was in a right relationship and never had to hit my brakes. I continued on my travels in appreciation of what I knew was required of my life in order to line up with the one who could offer me the safe arrrival to my destination or bring judgment if I handled the commands by dishonoring the road.
Thanks for your patience if you’ve gotten this far. When I read Psalm 119: 120 I can say with joy, “My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgements.”
That’s what I see as THE FEAR OF THE LORD. Truly loving Jesus keeps me in right relationship with all He’s Commanded. And when I stumble I know he’s righteous and just to forgive. Stumbling isn’t intentional, I’m doing what I want, forget God, and saying, “I’m a Christian.” That’s the road to Apostasy, according to Scripture. It is definitely not the road to “the Fear of The Lord.”
Comentários