Many believe that, since God is love, there’s nothing to fear about Him.  There is no doubt that God loves us and He is
love (I John 4:8-10).  However, to conclude that there is no reason to fear God is extremely ignorant.  After some introductory
thoughts are made in this article, we are going to see that the Scriptures instruct even those of us who are faithful, to fear God.  
Every aspect of our relationship with our Heavenly Father from prayer to the Judgment requires us to fear Him.

     Have you heard those prayers offered wherein someone sounds like they are talking to “one of the boys” instead of the
Almighty?  We can see that we are sons and daughters of the Almighty, not the “alweakling”: “And will be a Father unto
you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (II Corinthians 6:18).  It is the breath of the
Almighty that gives life (Job 33:4) and destruction also comes from Him (Isaiah 13:6).  The book of Job records something
which we must take to heart: “Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment,
and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.  Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart”
(Job 37:23-24).

     Consider these words of the Hebrew writer: “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).


     “Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the Lord…  
Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord…  Ye
shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the Lord your God….  Specially the day
that thou stoodest before the Lord thy God in Horeb, when 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…  O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all
my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!!!  Thou shalt fear the
Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name…  Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity
and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve
ye the Lord…  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the
whole duty of man.  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or
whether it be evil…  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.  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…  Honour all
men.  Love the brotherhood. Fear God.  Honour the king…  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven,
having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and
tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come:
and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Leviticus 19:14, Leviticus 19:
32, Leviticus 25:17, Deuteronomy 4:10, Deuteronomy 5:29, Deuteronomy 6:13, Joshua 24:14, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, II
Corinthians 7:1, Philippians 2:12, I Peter 2:17, and Revelation 14:6-7).

     We should be able to see, from the small sample above, that throughout the entirety of God’s word we are taught to fear
Him.  So, why is it that so many Scriptures can be written on this subject, yet too few seem to really fear the Lord?  Listen, I
am scared right out of my pants (figuratively, of course)!  Aren’t you?  Do you pray to God and forget who He is, what He has
done, and what He will do?  Do you lie down at night and not think about the wonders and terrors of the Lord?  As we saw in
Philippians 2:12, the working out of our salvation needs to be done in fear and trembling.  Have you ever trembled at the
thought of the Almighty?         

     Some simply try to redefine fear so that they can be comfortable with the fact that they don’t fear God.  They say that
fearing God means to respect Him.  However, the fear of God and reverence towards Him are connected, but not the same
things.  They are two different matters.  Notice: “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have
grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire”
(Hebrews 12:28-29).  There is no wiggle room on this matter.  If you don’t fear God you are failing in your service to Him.  


     Jeremiah penned a fitting conclusion to this article: “Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding;
which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at
my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and
though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?  
But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.  Neither say they in their heart,
Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us
the appointed weeks of the harvest.  Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden
good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:21-25).
Volume VIII    ~    Issue VIII   ~   November 18th, 2007
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)?  Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6).  Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16).  One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).  There is
more to cover than is here.  Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
Edited by: Brian A. Yeager
Do You Fear God?
By: Brian A. Yeager
Conclusion
God Is To Be Feared