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O fear the LORD, ye his saints, for there is no want to them that fear him." Not but that every saint doth fear God, but as the apostle saith in another case, "I beseech you, do it more and more." The fear of the LORD, as I have showed you, is a grace of the new covenant, as other saving graces are, and so is capable of being stronger or weaker, as other graces are. Wherefore, I beseech you, FEAR HIM MORE AND MORE. -John Bunyan, pg. 54 Treatise of the Fear of God
We've come so far in learning about the fear of God that we must stop and consider this word MORE.
If you've been in some churches today, they are keen on emphasizing the use of this word in speaking about POWER, HEALTH, WEALTH, JOB, etc. But is it true that the LORD, in his written word, puts such an emphasis on material things, aka prosperity?
As you know, this study has clarified much of this selfish, self-centered gospel that has infiltrated the Christian church.
What is it that we "should give the more earnest heed to"? What "have we heard"? If we are God's sheep, and his sheep hear his voice, and a stranger's voice we follow not (John 10:1-29) -- then what is God's voice?
I remember asking 'how do I hear God's voice?'. I remember hearing many preachers and teachers attempting to explain this. I seemed to always walk away more confused and wondering if I would ever 'hear' the voice of God. Many would explain about God's audible voice in the Old Testament and why we don't really HEAR this audible voice anymore. Then there would be a handful of accounts of people who told of their experience. But still... how would this help ME to hear God??
There is a joyous simple answer! It is so easy and yet so many people miss it.
READ THE BIBLE.
Yep, it's really that simple. There are countless books, teaching tapes, seminars, and workshops that tend to only sell more product and keep the Christian asking questions.
LOOK UP:
- John 1:1-5
- II Timothy 3:15-16
- Psalm 119:11
- Proverbs 4
- Joshua 1:8
What did you discover?
Now let's go over to John 15 and get back to the word MORE. Read verses 1-11
1. What does God do to branches in order for them to bear MORE fruit?
2. Would this be a good process for the Christian and why?
Honestly, the rest of this will be a lot of LOOK UP. You must understand that the only way to hear God on any given subject is to search the Scriptures. The LORD is pleased and desires that we seek his face. When we run to him FIRST for with our questions and our need for answers. When we hide ourselves under his shadow. When we not only realize but have the activity to show that we trust the Almighty God to take care of us -- in every single area of our life. In this, we find the pearl of great price -- the Fear of God. There is no separation of that proverbial church and state within the life of a child of the Most High God. We see that we can't even take our breath without acknowledging that 'God is my GOD ALONE! And that He is our blessed Saviour! Redeemer! Lord!'
DEFINE: MORE
LOOK UP the following verses and write out what they say about MORE
- James 4:6
- I Peter 1:7
- Hebrews 2:1
- Philemon 1:21
- I Thessalonians 4:1 & 10
- II Timothy 3:4
- Philippians 1:9
- John 12:43
- Matthew 13:12
- Matthew 10:31 & 37
- Daniel 2:30
- II Corinthians 12:15
- II Corinthians 7:13
- II Corinthians 4:17
- Proverbs 4:18
- Proverbs 3:15 (who is 'she' ?.. read previous verses)
- Psalms 130:6
- Psalm 119:99
- Psalm 71:14
- Genesis 3:1
I'll leave you with this to think about: (last paragraph from pg54)
FIRST, Let God's distinguishing love to you be a motive to you to fear him greatly. He hath put his fear in thy hear, and hath not given that blessing to thy neighbour; perhaps not to thy husband, thy wife, thy child, or thy parent. O what an obligation should this consideration lay upon thy heart greatly to fear the Lord!
Remember also, as I have showed in the first part of this book, that this fear of the Lord is his treasure, a choice jewel, given only to favourites, and to those that are greatly beloved.
Great gifts naturally tend to oblige, and will do so, I trust, with thee, when thou shalt ingeniously consider it. It is a sign of a very bad nature when the contrary shows itself; could God have done more for thee than to put his fear in thy heart?
This is better than to have given thee a place even in heaven without it. Yea, had he given thee all faith, all knowledge, and the tongue of men and angels, and a place in heaven to boot, they had all been short of thisgift, of the fear of God in thy heart.
Therefore love it, nourish it, exercise it,use all means to cause it to increase and grow in thy heart that it may appear it is is set by at they hand, poor sinner.
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