THE FEAR OF THE LORD
The "Fear of the Lord" in the following verses encapsulates a profound reverence and respect for God, which is foundational to understanding God’s Strategic Will. By embracing this "fear", we are guided away from evil, towards wisdom and understanding, and into a life of satisfaction, protection, and prolonged days. For a Fully Actualized Kingdom Saint, this reverence is not just a starting point but a sustaining force that shapes our entire walk with God, ensuring we live in alignment with His divine Guidance, Provision, and Care.
1. The Fear of the Lord as a Fountain of Life (Proverbs 14:27)
"The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death."
God's Strategic Will: Recognizing and revering God's holiness and authority directs us to a life-giving path, safeguarding us from spiritual and moral pitfalls.
Fully Actualized Saint: A fully actualized saint draws sustenance and vitality from this reverence, experiencing spiritual renewal and protection.
2. The Fear of the Lord as the Beginning of Wisdom (Proverbs 9:10)
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
God's Strategic Will: Wisdom starts with acknowledging God's supreme authority and seeking His guidance, which is foundational to understanding His will.
Fully Actualized Saint: Wisdom and understanding, grounded in the fear of the Lord, are essential traits of a saint fully operating under God's guidance and truth.
3. Not Being Wise in Our Own Eyes (Proverbs 3:7)
"Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil."
God's Strategic Will: Reliance on God's wisdom rather than our own ensures we follow His strategic plan, avoiding the deception of self-reliance.
Fully Actualized Saint: Humility and dependence on God characterize a fully actualized saint, recognizing the limitations of human wisdom and the necessity of divine guidance.
4. Prolonging Life Through the Fear of the Lord (Proverbs 10:27)
"The fear of the Lord prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened."
God's Strategic Will: God's plan includes the promise of a longer, more fruitful life for those who revere Him and follow His commandments.
Fully Actualized Saint: Longevity and a blessed life are rewards for those who live in reverent obedience to God, embodying His will on earth.
5. Seeking Wisdom and Understanding (Proverbs 2:3-5)
"Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God."
God's Strategic Will: God desires us to actively seek wisdom and understanding, promising that such a pursuit will lead us to a more profound knowledge and reverence for Him.
Fully Actualized Saint: The quest for divine wisdom and understanding is a continuous journey for a fully actualized saint, resulting in a deeper relationship with God and alignment with His will.
The fear of the Lord has many benefits. But, these benefits come with expectations from God, highlighting the importance of faithful stewardship and active engagement in the gifts and responsibilities He entrusts to us.
Let's explore Matthew 25:25-28 and how it aligns with the concept of the fear of the Lord and the expectations for those who are born again.
25. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you. 26. “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27. Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28. “So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Connection to the Fear of the Lord and God's Expectations
1. Reverence and Responsibility
Fear of the Lord: The parable emphasizes the importance of reverence for the master's (God's) expectations. The servant's fear led to inaction, a misunderstanding of what true reverence and fear of the Lord entail.
God's Expectation: True fear of the Lord should motivate us to actively use and invest the gifts and talents He has given us, not to hide them out of fear of failure or judgment.
2. Faithful Stewardship
Fear of the Lord: A reverent fear of the Lord includes recognizing our responsibility to steward His gifts wisely, using our talents, time, and resources for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.
God's Expectation: God expects us to be faithful and proactive in our stewardship. He rewards those who diligently work and invest what He has entrusted to them.
3. Accountability and Reward
Fear of the Lord: Understanding that we will be held accountable for how we use what God has given us is part of the fear of the Lord. This accountability should drive us to live purposefully and productively in His service.
God's Expectation: The parable shows that there are consequences for both faithful and unfaithful stewardship. Those who use their talents wisely are rewarded, while those who do not face loss.
4. Active Engagement
Fear of the Lord: True fear of the Lord leads to active engagement in His work, seeking to multiply and grow the resources and opportunities He provides.
God's Expectation: The Lord expects us to engage actively in His mission, using our unique abilities to contribute to His kingdom's growth and to serve others effectively.
The parable in Matthew 25:25-28 illustrates that the fear of the Lord involves not just reverence but also active, faithful stewardship. For those who are born again, this means recognizing and responding to God's expectations by using the gifts and talents He has given us to their fullest potential. It highlights that true reverence for God leads to proactive engagement in His work, ensuring that we are fruitful and productive in our service to Him. This aligns with becoming a fully actualized saint, living out God's strategic will through radical dependence, trust, and obedience.
At this point a heavy load began to bear down on me. But I was reminded of two very important truths...
The call to faithful stewardship and active engagement in God’s work can seem daunting. However, it is important to be reminded that our ability to fulfill these responsibilities is grounded in God's grace and His guidance. Colossians 2:6 and Ephesians 2:8-10 provide a powerful reminder of these truths:
- "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
- "Therefore As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him."
Connecting Fear of the Lord, Stewardship, and God's Grace:
1. Salvation and Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)
God's Gift: Our salvation is a gift of grace from God, not something we achieve through our own efforts. This foundational truth reminds us that our relationship with God starts and is sustained by His grace.
Freedom from Boasting: Since salvation is not based on our works, we are freed from the pressure of earning God’s favor. Instead, we can rest in His grace.
2. Created for Good Works (Ephesians 2:10)
His Workmanship: We are God’s workmanship, crafted with purpose in Christ Jesus. This means that God has intentionally designed us for the good works He has planned.
Prepared by God: The good works we are called to walk in are already prepared by God. Our role is to step into them, trusting in His guidance and provision.
3. Walking in Christ (Colossians 2:6)
Receiving and Walking: Just as we received Christ by Grace, we are called to continue walking in Him through Faith. This means living daily in dependence on His guidance and strength.
Empowerment in Christ: Walking in Christ signifies living out our faith through His empowerment, not relying on our own strength but on His indwelling presence.
The weight of the responsibility to be faithful stewards and to engage in God's work is lightened by the truth of God’s grace and empowerment. Ephesians 2:8-10 and Colossians 2:6 remind us that:
Our salvation and ability to serve are gifts of God’s grace.
We are created with purpose and equipped for the good works God has prepared.
Our walk in Christ is a continual process of transformation. We depend on Him, just as we initially received Him by faith.
These truths reassure us that while the call to stewardship and engagement is significant, we are not left to bear it alone. God’s Guidance, Provision and Care enable us to fulfill His expectations, transforming us into Fully Actualized Kingdom Saints who walk in His Strategic Will with confidence and trust.
Conclusion
This discussion has intricately woven together the profound concepts of God's strategic will, the journey towards becoming a fully actualized Kingdom saint, and the essential practice of operating in the fullness of God's guidance, provision, and care.
- God's Strategic Will: The fear of the Lord, as emphasized in Proverbs, serves as the foundation for understanding and living out God's strategic will. This reverence for God directs us to a life that turns away from evil, embraces wisdom, and experiences divine protection and satisfaction. The parable in Matthew 25 further underscores the responsibility to steward God's gifts faithfully, illustrating that reverence for God involves active engagement and fruitful service.
- Fully Actualized Kingdom Saint: The journey to becoming a fully actualized Kingdom saint involves recognizing our identity in Christ and walking in His ways. This process is deeply rooted in the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 2:8-10 reminds us that we are God's workmanship, created for good works that He has prepared for us. This calling is not a burdensome task but a divinely orchestrated plan that we are invited to participate in through His grace.
- Operating in the Fullness of God's Guidance, Provision, and Care: Walking in the fullness of God's guidance, provision, and care means living in radical dependence on Him. Colossians 2:6 encourages us to continue our journey in Christ as we began it—by faith. This ongoing relationship with Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, enables us to fulfill our God-given purposes. We are not left to bear the weight of responsibility alone; God's grace and presence empower us to walk in His strategic will effectively.
The fear of the Lord anchors us in God's wisdom and protection, while His grace equips us to be faithful stewards and fully actualized saints. By embracing our identity in Christ and relying on His guidance, provision, and care, we can confidently live out God's strategic will, revealing His Kingdom through our transformed lives and faithful service.
