No Fear or Much Fear?

Back in the 1990’s, a company came up with a very popular slogan. They used this slogan on t-shirts, stickers, and signs. The slogan was “No Fear.” I remember when we would buy our school clothes for the year. I always wanted to get a “No Fear” t-shirt.
When it comes to God, I think many people have no fear. I believe this is a terrible and sad state to be in when one does not fear the Lord. One man in the Bible knew it was bad to not fear the Lord. Job was an upright man. God even said that throughout the Earth, there was none like Job. Job said in chapter 28:8 that “the fear of the Lord is wisdom and to shun evil was understanding.” Job knew that God is the only reason for our being. Also, Solomon, who was the wisest king, said in Proverbs 1:7 that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”
It is very popular preaching today that God is love. Yes, He does love us, but I believe He hates our sin and our rebellion. We must truly understand what we are saved from to have this fear. When people live in sin and rebellion against God, they are in effect His enemy. If one does not turn his life over to God, he or she will face the wrath of God. In Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Jonathan Edwards said that men are on a thin spider web over the pit of hell. That web can be removed at any moment. He also said that God’s wrath was being held back like a dam holding back water. It is only because of God that it is being held back. One day it will be removed, and those who do not serve God will be the target of that wrath. Because of His love, man is given time to come to Him. He does love His creation, and He wants all to come to Him. Jesus said in Matthew 10:28 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but can not kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Notice ‘One’ is capitalized. Jesus is telling us to fear God or in effect Himself.
It would seem that God has put us between a rock and a hard place, a catch 22. We can’t be good all the time and meet God’s standard because we all have fallen short and rebelled against God. However, this is where His endless love comes in. “For God so love the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” His love for His creation is so great that He provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him. We must believe and repent, which means to turn away from sin, and we will be saved from the wrath which is promised to those who remain in rebellion. I urge you to think about what awaits your neighbors, friends, and co-workers if they continue in rebellion. When they die, it is too late. David wrote in Psalms, “No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave?” I would tell you today that we shouldn’t have “No Fear” but have “Much Fear.” This fear will cause us to shun evil and help us to understand how loved we are.