The fear of the Lord: A blessing in every possible way

“Knowing therefore, the terror (fear) of the Lord, we persuade men.” 2 Corinthians 5:11.

The apostles served the Lord with reverence and godly fear. They had looked into Jesus’ greatness and goodness, His holiness and purity. They had become acquainted with His fervent hatred against sin in all its forms and His fervent love for people in order to set them free from the power of sin. They knew that Jesus had fought unto bloodshed and that He had not spared Himself in any way, right until He died for the salvation of mankind.

Now Jesus had ascended to heaven, and the apostles were to continue His work and life among the people, and fear came over them. Their task was to win people’s hearts fully and completely for Christ, leading them to the obedience of faith by their personal, good example in word, conduct, love, and purity. Jesus had sent them into the world just as the Father had sent Him into the world. They were to let their light shine for the people so that they could see their good works and praise their Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) This is what caused them to have this fear of the Lord.

Jesus’ representatives

The apostles were Jesus’ representatives in the midst of an evil and unbelieving world. They were conscious of their responsibility, and they feared the Lord. They were to carry on the work of Christ, be victorious, and keep His commandments. They were to teach all men to observe what Jesus had commanded them, so they could be presented holy and blameless before God’s face.

They had witnessed the Lord’s wrath when He judged Ananias and Sapphira, and great fear came over the entire church. Therefore they also powerfully proclaimed that without sanctification no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14) “Putting away lying, each one speak truth with his neighbor …” Ephesians 4:25. “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Acts 2:40. When they spoke they spoke as the word of God in the power of the Spirit, with fear and much trembling. Their faith was not based on the wisdom of man but on the power of God. (1 Peter 4:11; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5) They did not twist the Word of God for gain or honor, but by making known the truth, they commended themselves to the conscience of all men before God’s face. (2 Corinthians 4:2) They knew that the words of man are vanity and that only the pure and sincere word of the cross is the power of God that can save from sin.

In these days we are living as Jesus’ representatives and ambassadors to carry on God’s work to victory and to glorify Jesus’ name among people. Each person has cost Jesus His precious blood; therefore let us not be indifferent to each soul’s salvation. Just as it was the apostles’ task, so our task is to win people’s hearts fully and completely for Christ, for the truth, for righteousness, love, patience, humility, etc., by being good examples ourselves. Let us have this fear of the Lord in our own hearts!

Do the works of the Lord

May we know fear and responsibility so that we do the works of the Lord wherever we are placed in life. May we never come together indifferently, but as intercessors who are aware of our responsibility, so that everything can be done to the glory of Jesus Christ.

The fear of the Lord has just about disappeared from the earth, and there are only a few who work on their own – and others’ – salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12) The fear of the Lord is a blessing in every possible way. Besides constraining us to win people, it is a strong defense and a fountain of life. (Proverbs 14:26-27) It is pure and endures forever. (Psalm 19:9) In the fear of the Lord we hate all evil, pride, and arrogance. (Proverbs 8:13) It gives wisdom and prolongs life. (Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 10:27)

The names of those who fear the Lord are written down in the Lord’s book of remembrance. On that day the Lord will make them His jewels, and the Sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings. (Malachi 3:16-17; Malachi 4:2)

This article has been translated from Norwegian and has been adapted from the article titled “The fear of the Lord,” first published in BCC’s periodical Skjulte Skatter (Hidden Treasures) in September 1944.
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