Reinhard
25 The Fear of the Lord
The fear of the Lord is brought up in connection with prayer in that we have to have open, unhindered communication with God. We cannot let sin interrupt our prayers.
The fear of the Lord is mentioned many times in the Old Testament. It was and is a way of showing faith toward God. The fear of the Lord is also mentioned in the New Testament. It is still a valid concept under the new covenant we have through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prov 15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
There are numerous promises that are made to those will live wholeheartedly for God. On the other hand, God will not hear the prayer of the wicked. Our prayers can be hindered by bitterness.
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
We serve a holy God. He sees every detail of our lives He knows how many hairs we have on our head. He knows when a bird falls to the ground.
We can’t do anything in secret away from God. We will reap what we sow into our lives. Let us sow to the spirit and reap life everlasting Lets stay far away from sowing to the flesh.
We see Elijah, who was a man just like us, getting answers to prayer. Elijah stayed away from sin.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, was fully the Son of God and the Son of Man. The Bible says that he was tempted in all points but did not sin. We don’t have to sin.
Thank God, if we do, we have the promise that if will confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of all our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The Bible says that as we suffer in the flesh, that is, putting it under the control of the Holy Spirit, we can cease from sin.
1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
We rely on what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. Jesus paid for our sins with His own blood. Just as the apostles said in the books of Acts, it is not by our own power or holiness, but it is the Name of Jesus and faith in his name.
We purpose to be a vessel of honor, ready to used by our Master.
We purpose, when the eyes of the Lord, go through the earth to be a person that God can show Himself strong through.
We purpose to cleanse ourselves from any filthiness of the flesh.
2 Cor 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
In Acts Chapter 5, we have the story of Ananias and his wife Sapphira. People had been giving to the church. The couple decided to lie to Peter about how much they were giving to the church. When each individually fell dead after lying to Peter and the Holy Spirit, it says that great fear came on the church. It was in that setting that Peter was able to work miracles where even some were healed by Peter’s shadow.
Acts 5:11-16 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. 12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. 13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
Throughout the Bible, there is an emphasis on walking in holiness before God. Holiness does not mean one has to withdraw from people by living away from them. It means that with God’s enablement, we are living by faith. That is, we are going God’s way instead of our own, no matter the cost.
Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Job in the Old Testament understood how the fear of the Lord is linked to departing from evil:
Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
In Proverbs we have a clear definition of the fear of the Lord:
Prov 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
There are wonderful promises we can claim relating to the fear of the Lord. We thank God for lengthening our life as we walk in the fear of the Lord, hating evil:
Prov 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
We thank God for giving us His Holy Spirit which helps us understand and then walk in the fear of the Lord!
Isa 11:2-3 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
Isa 33:6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.
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