By Gina Caswell Kelly
In Proverbs, Solomon writes that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” What does it mean to “fear the Lord?” I mean, isn’t He a God of love? Why would we ever need to fear someone who loves us so much? All good questions. God truly is a God of love. He is a God of redeeming mercy. He is a God of forgiveness. He is a compassionate God. If all this is true, and it is, then why does the Bible say to “Fear the Lord?”
The same God who loved us so much that He sent His very own Son to die a horrible death for us, hates sin with the same passion that He loves us. It is this hate of sin in our lives that should make us fear the Lord. As His children, He stands ready to forgive us and to guide us onto the path we should walk, but as His children, He hates to see sin in our lives. It breaks His heart. I feel like we have gotten pretty complacent thinking about this great and loving Father who only wants the best for us, who stands ready with forgiveness and mercy. We have forgotten all about the fear of Him.
We toss God’s name about easily as a curse word. We hear even little children saying, “Oh my god!” Here is the truth. There is only one God, and when we begin to so carelessly use His name as a slang or curse word, that does not show any fear of the Lord. We have to use His name with a reverence and a sense of honor. We cannot just act like this “Name that is above every other Name” is just another word in our language.
But even more than that, we have to quit acting like our sins mean nothing to Him. He gave His only Son to wash away these sins that we act like won’t hurt anyone or anything. Every sin we commit was one more lash across His back. One more pounding of that hammer on the nails in His hands. Every sin we commit, no matter how little we may think they are, is a sin against God.
You may think your little sins don’t matter, when they compare to the great big sins in someone else’s life. I have news for you. There is no “righteousness by comparison” available to you or anyone else. We must call sin what it is in our own lives, before we call out the sins of others who sin differently than we do!
Oh my goodness! Get back to the fear of the Lord. Get back to recognizing who this God is that we serve. Then serve Him with all your heart and turn away from your wrongdoings, and seek His forgiveness. Fear the Lord! It will make a difference!
