Embracing Godly Fear: A Path to Holiness

 

Summary

The essence of godly fear is deeply rooted in the understanding of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. This fear is not a terror that drives us away but a reverent awe that draws us closer to God. It is a fear born out of love, cultivated at the cross where we witness the magnitude of what it took for our sins to be forgiven. This godly fear is a precious gift that serves multiple purposes in the life of a believer. It acts as a deterrent against sin, a motivator for holiness, a sustainer in service, a protector against abandoning faith, and a deliverer from other fears.

The fear of the Lord is a powerful restraint against sin. It is like a brake on the impulse to sin that resides within us. Just as a car without brakes is destined for disaster, so is a believer without the fear of the Lord. This fear is not the only motivation to avoid sin, but it is an essential one. It complements our love and joy in Christ, providing an additional layer of defense against the strong pull of temptation.

Moreover, godly fear fosters our pursuit of holiness. It reminds us that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, prompting us to live lives that are pleasing to Him. While love and gratitude are higher motives, the fear of the Lord is a steadfast anchor that keeps us aligned with God's will, especially when our love and joy wane.

This fear also sustains us in faithful service. The apostle Paul, despite facing immense opposition, was driven by the knowledge of the judgment to come. This awareness compelled him to persuade others about the truth of the gospel. Similarly, godly fear can propel us to remain steadfast in our ministry, knowing the eternal significance of our work.

Finally, godly fear delivers us from all other fears. When we fear the Lord, our hearts are steadied, and we are freed from the anxieties that plague our lives. In a world overwhelmed by various fears, the fear of the Lord provides a solid foundation, enabling us to face life's challenges with courage and confidence.

Key Takeaways:

- Godly fear is a gift that deters us from sinning. It acts as a brake on our sinful impulses, reminding us of the holiness of God and the consequences of sin. This fear, born out of love and reverence, is essential in our fight against temptation. [03:40]

- The fear of the Lord fosters our pursuit of holiness. It keeps us mindful of the judgment seat of Christ, urging us to live lives that are pleasing to Him. This fear complements our love and gratitude, providing a steady anchor in our spiritual journey. [06:39]

- Godly fear sustains us in faithful service. It compels us to share the gospel, knowing the eternal consequences of our actions. This fear, alongside love and joy in Christ, motivates us to persevere in our ministry despite challenges. [09:41]

- The fear of the Lord protects us from abandoning our faith. It reminds us of the severity of falling away from Christ, urging us to remain steadfast in our belief. This fear is a safeguard against the pressures and temptations of the world. [12:21]

- Godly fear delivers us from all other fears. It steadies our hearts and frees us from the anxieties that dominate our lives. By fearing the Lord, we gain the strength to face life's challenges with courage and confidence. [12:56]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Godly Fear and Forgiveness
- [00:41] - The Wicked and the Absence of Fear
- [01:17] - Fear as a Gift Against Sin
- [02:14] - The Presence of God at Sinai
- [03:07] - Fear as a Restraint
- [03:40] - Fear as a Brake on Sin
- [04:37] - Consequences of Losing Fear
- [06:07] - Fear and the Pursuit of Holiness
- [08:20] - Fear Sustaining Faithful Service
- [10:14] - Fear Preventing Abandonment of Faith
- [12:21] - Fear Delivering from Other Fears
- [14:17] - The Marvelous Gift of Fear
- [15:15] - Believing All God Has Revealed
- [20:32] - Resting in Christ's Accomplishments
- [26:48] - Receiving God's Promises

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 20:20 - "Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.'"
2. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 - "So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
3. Psalm 112:1 - "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Exodus 20:20, what purpose does the fear of God serve for the people of Israel? How does this relate to the concept of godly fear as a restraint against sin? [01:39]
2. In 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, what is the reason given for making it our goal to please God? How does this connect to the idea of godly fear fostering our pursuit of holiness? [06:39]
3. How does Psalm 112:1 describe the person who fears the Lord? What blessings are associated with this fear according to the sermon? [12:39]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the fear of the Lord act as a "brake" on sinful impulses, and why is it considered essential alongside love and joy in Christ? [03:40]
2. In what ways does the awareness of standing before the judgment seat of Christ motivate believers to live lives pleasing to God? How does this awareness interact with other motivations like love and gratitude? [06:39]
3. How does godly fear deliver believers from other fears, and what does this suggest about the relationship between fearing God and experiencing peace in life? [12:56]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you were tempted to sin. How might the fear of the Lord have acted as a deterrent in that moment? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this fear in your daily life? [03:40]
2. Consider your current spiritual journey. How does the prospect of standing before the judgment seat of Christ influence your daily decisions and actions? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with this awareness? [06:39]
3. Think about a fear or anxiety that has been troubling you. How can embracing the fear of the Lord help you find strength and peace in facing this challenge? [12:56]
4. In what ways can godly fear sustain you in your ministry or service to others, especially when facing opposition or discouragement? How can you remind yourself of the eternal significance of your work? [09:41]
5. Reflect on a time when you felt pressure to abandon your faith. How did the fear of the Lord help you remain steadfast, and what can you do to strengthen this fear as a safeguard against future challenges? [12:21]
6. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to believe all that God has revealed. How can you work towards embracing both His promises and warnings more fully? [15:33]
7. How can you rest in what Christ has accomplished for you, and how does this assurance impact your ability to live in the fear of the Lord? [20:50]

Devotional

Day 1: Godly Fear as a Brake on Sin
The fear of the Lord acts as a powerful deterrent against sin, functioning like a brake on our sinful impulses. This fear is not rooted in terror but in a reverent awe of God's holiness and the consequences of sin. It complements our love and joy in Christ, providing an essential layer of defense against temptation. When we understand the magnitude of what it took for our sins to be forgiven, we are drawn closer to God, and this godly fear becomes a precious gift that helps us resist the strong pull of sin. [03:40]

Psalm 34:11-14 (ESV): "Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."

Reflection: Identify a specific temptation you face regularly. How can the fear of the Lord help you resist this temptation today?


Day 2: The Fear of the Lord and Holiness
The fear of the Lord fosters our pursuit of holiness by keeping us mindful of the judgment seat of Christ. It urges us to live lives that are pleasing to Him, serving as a steadfast anchor that keeps us aligned with God's will. While love and gratitude are higher motives, this fear provides a steady foundation, especially when our love and joy wane. It reminds us of the eternal perspective and the importance of living a life that reflects God's holiness. [06:39]

2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV): "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you struggle to live in holiness. What steps can you take today to align this area with God's will?


Day 3: Sustained by Godly Fear in Service
Godly fear sustains us in faithful service, compelling us to share the gospel and remain steadfast in our ministry. This fear, alongside love and joy in Christ, motivates us to persevere despite challenges, knowing the eternal significance of our work. The apostle Paul, driven by the knowledge of the judgment to come, was propelled to persuade others about the truth of the gospel. Similarly, godly fear can propel us to remain committed to our calling, understanding the weight of our actions in light of eternity. [09:41]

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

Reflection: Reflect on your current ministry or service. How can the fear of the Lord inspire you to remain faithful and committed, even when faced with difficulties?


Day 4: Protection from Abandoning Faith
The fear of the Lord protects us from abandoning our faith by reminding us of the severity of falling away from Christ. It serves as a safeguard against the pressures and temptations of the world, urging us to remain steadfast in our belief. This fear is a powerful reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of holding firm to our faith, even in the face of adversity. [12:21]

Hebrews 10:26-27 (ESV): "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries."

Reflection: Think about a time when you felt tempted to abandon your faith. How can the fear of the Lord help you stay committed to your beliefs today?


Day 5: Deliverance from All Other Fears
Godly fear delivers us from all other fears, steadying our hearts and freeing us from the anxieties that dominate our lives. When we fear the Lord, we gain the strength to face life's challenges with courage and confidence. In a world overwhelmed by various fears, the fear of the Lord provides a solid foundation, enabling us to navigate life's uncertainties with peace and assurance. [12:56]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: Identify a specific fear or anxiety you are currently facing. How can the fear of the Lord provide you with the courage and confidence to overcome it today?

Quotes


The fear of the Lord is a wonderful gift because it will keep you from sinning. The Bible is very clear about this. Exodus chapter 20 and verse 20 Moses said to the people do not be afraid God has come to test you so that the fear of the Lord will be with you to keep you from sinning. [00:01:17]

The fear that God puts into the hearts of his own people is a fear that is born of love. It is birthed at the cross, where we see what it took for us to be forgiven. With you there is forgiveness that you may be feared. [00:00:51]

The fear of the Lord is like a break on the impulse to sin that remains within the flesh of a Christian believer. And think about this: a car without a break is heading for disaster, and a believer without the fear of the Lord is heading for disaster too. [00:03:40]

Godly fear will foster your pursuit of holiness. It will foster your pursuit of holiness 2 Corinthians chapter 5 and verse 9. So whether we are at home or away, that is whether we're living in the body or whether we're in the presence of the Lord, we make it our aim to please him. [00:06:07]

We must make it our aim, Paul says, to please him because we're all going to stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Now again, this is not the only motive for pleasing the Lord. We make it our aim to please him because we love him. [00:07:17]

Godly fear is a wonderful gift because it will sustain you in faithful service. Again, continuing in 2 Corinthians in chapter five, we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. [00:08:20]

The fear of the Lord is a gift because it will keep you from abandoning the faith. Hebrews chapter 10 and verse 26: if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. [00:10:14]

The fear of the Lord delivers you from other fears. If you have this godly fear, your heart will be steady. Godly fear actually will put strength into you that will enable you to face other fears. Fear him, you sense, and you shall then have nothing else to fear. [00:12:56]

In losing the fear of the Lord, which seems widely to be the case in our time, we have actually become overwhelmed by an epidemic of other fears. Fears about health, fears about money, fears about the future, fears about not measuring up, fears about what other people think. [00:14:17]

Faith treats all of God's word alike. Then he says because the faith that accepts one part and then rejects another actually isn't faith in God at all. It's faith in our own judgment, our faith in our own taste. See, faith does not pick and choose what it likes in the Bible. [00:15:15]

If you believe, you will fear the Lord. If you don't fear the Lord, it's evidence you don't really believe. We saw from the life of Abel that faith listens to God, so if you want to get the fear of the Lord, start listening to God in all that he says in the scripture. [00:20:32]

Faith joins us to Jesus, and all who by faith are in him are going to be carried through the judgment of God and safely brought into a new and perfect world that will be our joy and will be the home of righteousness forever and forever. [00:26:48]

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