Respecting and [submitting to] God is the essence of fearing Him. It indicates that you accept His claim to be your Lord because He is your Creator. It implies that your actions are motivated by awe for Him.
Fearing God in the Old Testament
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 10:12) makes a clear connection between serving God and adhering to His commands. Additionally see Deuteronomy 6:2 and 4:10.
Fearing God in the New Testament
The phrase “fearing God” also appears a few times in the New Testament.
- “Because we have these promises, beloved, let us purify ourselves from every impurity of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God,” states 2 Corinthians 7:1.Here, holiness is associated with fearing God. Fearing God keeps you from committing serious sins and in accordance with His will. It offers your life purpose. As Noah did when he built the ark out of reverent reverence of God (Hebrews 11:7), it can result in salvation. This verse introduces us to the idea of judgment, which is related to fearing God.
- “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?” the one thief reprimanded the other in Luke 23:40.These two men were condemned, they were on the verge of death, and they would shortly appear before God in judgment. God is able to make judgments. However, as is well known, the thief was spared from judgment when Jesus extended grace to him.
- “And he said with a loud voice, Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea, and the springs of water,” which is another way that fearing God is related to judgment in Revelation 14:7.
What then would happen to us if we have no fear of God? He’s entitled to judge us. Recognize Him as your Creator, Savior, and Lord instead of challenging Him. Give your life to Him, live it in awe of Him, and you will be delivered from judgment.
