Many
people are uncomfortable with the word fear in relation to the Christian life.
That may be because we confuse the fear of the Lord with the petty fears of
this world. Some Bible translations use the word reverence where the word fear
is indicated. I don’t think that is completely wrong. But the word reverence is
not strong enough. It does not bring to our minds enough force of emotion. We
are to tremble in fear before God. In Leviticus 9 we read about the first
offering offered in the tabernacle in the wilderness.
Fire
came out from the presence of the Lord
and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all
the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.
We come
into the presence of our Lord before whom John fell down as a dead man.[1] If
you begin by thinking about the majesty and holiness and grace of God you can
call upon him trembling in such reverent and joyful fear.
In 1
Peter 1:17-19 Peter writes,
And
if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s
deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing
that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers,
not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood
of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
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