Fear God and work hard.
- David Livingstone
A Google search for the phrase "the virtue of fear" produces 22 hits (in 0.05 seconds). Searching for the terms "virtue" and "fear" themselves yields 1,350,000 hits (in 0.08 seconds). Can it be Fear as a Virtue has gone out of fashion?
In fact, so much so, that fear of any real sort, including that espoused by Jesus, is assailed day and night in every arena of modern life, from personal psychology to parental discipline. More incredibly still, often it's greatest detractors are those supposedly preaching faith to the faithful.
In modern Christianity one can count on a few fingers well known preachers doing justice to the subject of Godly fear. Like Christ' midnight arrest and mock trail, fear has been crucified (by Church and world alike) and for much the same reason. Such was not always the case. Credible witnesses to attest to this fact could be produced without number but we need only call the Bible to take the stand and make our case.
In the New King James Version, the word fear appears 457 times, including 104 uses in the New Testament alone. Fear of God, far from being anathema, is repeatedly commanded of the faithful as a vital component of what Scripture identifies as living faith.
Fear in the Hall of Fame of Faith
This facet of fear is nowhere better demonstrated than it's appearance in the Hebrews' Hall of Fame of Faith by non other than the Grand Daddy of Faith himself, Noah:
- "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Hebrews 11:7
Contrary to today's teaching on the subject, the author of Hebrews notes that at the heart of Noah's faith was fear. Note the order and contents of the verse:
1. By Faith: Noah was warned and believed...
2. With Fear: Noah was moved to act and save his family...
3. By Faith: Noah condemned the world and became an heir of righteousness...
Far from being opposites or even enemies, the New Testament draws from one of, if not the, greatest examples and tests of faith to demonstrate their partnership. In Noah's case this is so true that fear is sandwiched between the bread of faith.
Apostolic Fear
Fear and the Apostle Paul
Without question, the Fear of God knocked the persecutor Saul off his high horse and together with grace transformed him into Paul, putting him on the fast track in becoming the greatest of the Apostles and the most prolific author of the New Testament:
- "Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." 1 Corinthians 15:8-10
Paul, as one might imagine, spoke often of Fear. He did so as a command to the Church, even concerning Salvation itself:
- "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain." Philippians 2:12-16
Paul, as the Apostle of the Gentiles, warns both individuals and the whole Gentile Church to add Fear their Faith:
- "You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off." Romans 11:19-22
Observations on the passages:
1. Saul was transformed into Paul when Christ fearfully revealed Himself as the One Saul was persecuting by knocking him to the ground with "blinding lightening."
2. Fear and Grace combined within Paul to labor more than all the other apostles.
3. The seasoned Apostle warns the Philippians, and all Christians for all time, to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling." As many passages attest, Salvation is activated by and activates Godly Fear. In this passage Paul clearly defines the quality of Fear by adding "trembling" least we water down his meaning to simply mean a small sense of wonder or awe.
4. Paul states that through such practice the believers could become blameless, children of God without fault, lights in the world and bearers of the life. Like all Pauline writing, this opportunity was conditional upon obedience. The same holds true for Christianity today. The fact that there is little to no difference in the overall lifestyles of believers and the world is a great warning we have failed to be trained by the quality of fear of which Paul refers.
5. Paul warns if they fail to head his command, their salvation and his labor on their behalf will have been in vain.
6. To the Romans Paul warns the entire Gentile church to add Fear to their Faith. Like mortar for bricks, not being haughty (presumptuous) but fearing, protects and promotes acceptable faith.
7. As so many Biblical authors do, Paul warns God, who did not spare "the natural branches" because of their lack of fear will neither spare the Gentile church.
8. Paul's finalizes his warning by promising their salvation will continue as long as the Church continues in His goodness. "Otherwise you also will be cut off." Far from preaching modern "Eternal Security" Paul, like all Biblical authors, clearly shows salvation by grace, while a free gift from God, is clearly conditional.
Fear and the Apostle Peter
The Apostle Peter, chief among the original 12 and Jesus' inner circle of 3, was also quite clear on the subject as he warns believers:
- "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, Be holy, for I am holy. And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear." 1 Peter 1:13
- "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." 1 Peter 2:15
- "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed." 1 Peter 3:15-17
Fear and the Epistle of Jude
Jude, in his short Epistle, rails against false faith clearly warning God is to be feared. He makes a compelling case that God, who did not spare the angels or those He brought out of Egypt in the Exodus, will neither spare presumptuous Christians who continue in their sin.
Jude also reveals fear is a friend to Evangelism:
- "And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh." Jude 23
Fear and the Epistle of James
He and Jude rail heavily against hypocrisy in the Church, to whom (and often against whom) they write. Certainly, a true dose of Fear would go a long way in the lives of the Christians they love enough to rebuke:
- Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." James 4:1-10
Observations on Jude and James:
Both rail against Sin and Hypocrisy in the Church.
1. Both agree with other Biblical authors God will judge the deeds of all men impartially.
2. Jude explains fear of God is not only "the beginning of wisdom" but often a vital tool of Evangelism.
3. James warns those who's lifestyles are worldly are at odds with, not saved by, God.
4. James commands the presumptuous, who have fearlessly resisted humbling themselves before God (in fear) to "Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
Jesus' Example
Fear and the Final Word
Clearly a vast number of the hundreds of times in Bible Fear is used, it's as an injunction to the Church. Fear, it would seem, is the inertia that keeps Faith 's orbit from decaying into presumption.
We would do well to heed the advice we have been given. Additionally we have Jesus' teaching on fear and His example in the matter. In rare glimpse into the private life of Christ and the style of His prayers, we are told in that Jesus:
- "Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered." Hebrews 5:7-8
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