a Preamble

Q:  How does the fear of God apply to us? as "New Testament saints"
A:  II Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

Therefore, whatever we find in regard to the fear of God in the Old Testament applies to us in the New Testament.  The fear of God has not changed.

  For I am the LORD, I change not; ~Malachi 3:6

      
Allow me begin the preamble with this quandary.  (Be assured, that in the course of the study, we will find the answer.)  I have encountered an objection in regard to right living or even an attempt to walk wholly before the LORD.  It has puzzled me that Christians like to use this excuse/objection.  I've never really understood why a Christian would say such a thing...until now.  When I began to read this treatise by John Bunyan, it was as if the LORD was using it as a highlighter to some important issues going on in both my life and in the lives of those around me.

I'll share the objection in just a few moments.  I'm bringing it to our attention, with regard to our new study, because it is a hinderance in the life a Christian.  And as we begin this journey of better understanding the fear of the LORD, we should remind ourselves that to be a Christian is a total lifetime commitment.  If we leave ourselves a backdoor, the devil will take that and could bring about our demise.  And, of course, we don't want to give the devil a foothold.  Of course, we want the LORD God to be our God and we his people.  Of course?  Isn't that the reason of becoming a Christian?

Here's the current objection (also used on many a bumpersticker)   Nobody's perfect / Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven. 

BUT WAIT!  What does GOD say??

Deut 18:13 " Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God."
II Cor 13:11  "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."

WOW oh wow...now what??  Well, Apart from Jesus Christ, nobody can be perfect.  As far as being the price for redemption for all of humanity...ONLY Jesus Christ was without spot or blemish nor did  he ever sin.  Why the confusion that has led to the acceptable excuse to not walk in a manner worthy of the LORD?

Let's clear up the key point.  Neither you nor I have to pay the price of redemption.  Jesus accomplished that on our behalf.  period.  So, this part is true.  We have sinned and need a Redeemer. Our 'good' works or our perfection will not get us to heaven.

So where does that leave this "perfect" business?  When the LORD wrote that we are to be perfect, what was he talking about?  Simply put - our day to day behaviour and actions are to be what God has lined out in the Scriptures.  But why??  OK...here it is .. BECAUSE IT PLEASES THE LORD!

And this brings us to our study:  Perfection is the obedient heart to the ways of God.  Perfection is in the fear of God to do his will because it pleases him.

Salvation in God is not of works of righteousness which we have done, but by believing on Jesus Christ and ye shall be saved. YET, if Jesus is the Word of God (which he is), are we not then to believe on the Word of God?  If Jesus said if you love me, keep my commandments (which he did)...ought we not to read and DO the written Scriptures?

We cannot separate our Saviour Jesus Christ from himself:  the Word of God.  You cannot have one without the other.  The Word of God must govern every aspect of our life. Separation of that proverbial 'church and state' does not apply here.

Do not dispair, dear Reader!  We have a hope.  If we will continue to trust the LORD in the reading of his written Word, we come to I John 1:9  (READ all of I John 1 for our study)

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus is our Advocate with the Father!  Remember, the LORD shows himself to those who fear him. He will reward those who seek him with their whole heart.

BRINGING IT HOME: 

• Why is it that people say they must have a good work ethic in the market place? But don't bother obey God's Word. They follow society's ethics rather than God's Word.
• Why is the accepted fad to obsess over cleaniness? (aka OCD)
• Why are people more interested in reading food labels than they are in reading the precious gift of God's written Word? 

For the world, this is par for the course.  They don't know God.  But for Christians??  For Christians to get on the 'integrity and excellence in business' bandwagon and then say they can't be perfect in regard to walking with God by obeying his Word is.. well.. not what pleases the LORD.  (I Samuel 15:22)

The answer to these questions is the lack of the fear of God.  When we fear God, the rest of our life will show it.

As I began to read the Treatise of the Fear of God, I was floored..humbled.  I repented of my ignorance: willing or otherwise.

Don't let pride or a hauty heart rob you of a right relationship with God the Father.
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Further Reading:  Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 66:2

You are free to print this page to add to your study notebook.  Don't take my word for it -- do your own research. Ask the LORD.  Remember, the Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth and will show you.
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Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, II Peter 1:2

~Cristina