Rejoice with Trembling: Delighting in Fearing pt 1

2019-11-04

After he sinned, Adam was afraid of God (Gen. 3:10), but Jesus delighted in the fear of the Lord (Is. 11:3)! So what's the difference? “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1 Jn. 4:18) If God has already put the punishment for our sins onto Jesus, then why should we fear him? The fear of the Lord is to be so awestruck by how powerful, beautiful, majestic, holy and pure God is tha...

After he sinned, Adam was afraid of God (Gen. 3:10), but Jesus delighted in the fear of the Lord (Is. 11:3)! So what's the difference?

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1 Jn. 4:18)

If God has already put the punishment for our sins onto Jesus, then why should we fear him?

The fear of the Lord is to be so awestruck by how powerful, beautiful, majestic, holy and pure God is that we fear being anything that is incompatible with Him; not because we dread His punishment, but because we are so enraptured by His splendor and omnipotence that we only desire to be like Him: we abhor anything that is opposed to Him and turn away from everything that is contrary to His goodness and glory.

The fear of the Lord is an amazing gateway to intimacy with God.

"The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant." (Ps. 25:14)

I invite you to journey with me.

“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecc. 12:13)

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