I wonder how much I really fear the LORD. It is fair to accept that I respect the authority of God, but I am not certain that I fear Him. Many will object that "fearing God" is unhealthy. God is to be revered. He is to be highly regarded, but fear is not necessary. They would quote 1 John 4:18 as a prooftext. "Perfect love casts out fear..." But is this really fair. After all, isn't John's admonition to not fear the final judgement because of our standing with Christ? Isn't it true that even Jesus called us to recognize the power of God's authority when He taught the disciples to be afraid not of the one who can harm the body, but rather the one who can destroy the body and soul? (Matthew 10:28) Just as much as is it true that we are to approach the throne of God with confidence, it is true that God is first and foremost due our fear. (Exodus 3:5-6; Isaiah 6:1-5; Revelation 4) We come to the throne of God with a sense of honest regard.
While the approach is made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus, most of us approach the throne as if we are owed an audience. We come to offer the sacrifice of fools. (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2) For years, I have not considered the fear of God something to be grasped. Instead, I have relied on the so described palatable nature of God's love. A love that requires more patience from God than my honor or respect. My sacrifice normally is qualified by whether it fits into my schedule or is visible to the onlookers. Sometimes I treat God as if He is blessed to know me, to have created me. Oh some might say, that isn't true. You can't possibly be that disrespectful to God.
Can't I?
I rush to church on Sunday thinking only about what I will be eating for lunch. Sauntering through the hallway as if "In tha Club" were playing in the background, I pass by those in the hallway with only a fleeting glance- "I am so busy". My quiet time consists of leisure reading and easily digested devotional thoughts that simply allow me to feel more at ease in a world that continues to burn while I play my fiddle. There is no fear, only contempt.
So this is the question: What does it look like to fear God, according to Jesus?
As I answer this question I must be careful not to turn this into a checklist of to do's and don'ts. I need to be aware of my tendency to gloss over the expectations as a result of Jesus' death. I need to recognize that "fearing" God has been interpreted in numerous ways- many of which have done more to make wider the chasm, rather than close it up. It is an imperative to remember that just because the people I hold dearest might object to my understanding, it is irrelevant. In the end, it doesn't mean anything that I fear God as my mom, wife, or grandfather would. Instead, I must fear God on his terms. I must recognize that the snares of death are not solely relative to the cessation of life, but the impairment of living. The fear of the LORD will lead me to Jesus, and Jesus will lead me to God.
Soli Deo Gloria
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