What other scriptures emphasize the importance of fearing God? The Void Exposed: Romans 3:18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Paul quotes Psalm 36:1 to diagnose the heart of fallen humanity—the absence of holy awe that restrains sin and invites grace. Why the Fear of God Matters • Keeps the heart humble before God’s majesty • Nurtures obedience born of worship, not mere duty • Guards against sin’s deception and God-dishonoring self-confidence • Opens the door to wisdom, blessing, and true security Echoes in the Psalms • Psalm 2:11 – “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” • Psalm 33:8 – “Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere Him.” • Psalm 34:9 – “Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.” • Psalm 111:10 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who practice it have good understanding. His praise endures forever.” • Psalm 128:1 – “Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in His ways!” Wisdom Literature: Foundation for Life • Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” • Proverbs 9:10 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” • Proverbs 14:27 – “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.” • Proverbs 19:23 – “The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.” • Job 28:28 – “‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” • Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.” Law and Prophets: Covenant Awe • Deuteronomy 10:12-13 – Fear the LORD, walk in His ways, love, serve, and obey “for your own good.” • Deuteronomy 6:13 – “Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only.” • Joshua 24:14 – “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and faithfulness.” • 1 Samuel 12:24 – “Above all else, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart.” • Isaiah 66:2 – God esteems “he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.” • Malachi 3:16 – A book of remembrance is written for those “who feared the LORD and honored His name.” Christ’s Teaching and Early Church Practice • Luke 1:50 – “His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.” • Matthew 10:28 / Luke 12:4-5 – Fear not men; fear “the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” • Acts 9:31 – The churches “walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit…increased in numbers.” New-Covenant Letters and the Final Witness • 2 Corinthians 7:1 – “Perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” • Philippians 2:12 – “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” • Hebrews 12:28-29 – “Worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. For our God is a consuming fire.” • 1 Peter 1:17 – “Conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.” • Revelation 14:6-7 – The eternal gospel commands, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come.” Living in Holy Awe Today • Approach Scripture expecting it to search and shape the heart. • Let worship songs and gathered praise magnify God’s greatness, not our preferences. • Resist sin quickly, remembering that the One who saved us still judges impartially. • Teach the next generation that reverence is freedom, not bondage. • Serve others with humility, mindful that every act is done before the Lord’s watching eyes. |
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