The Fear of God: Foundation of True Faith

 

Summary

In our exploration of Romans 3:18-20, we delve into the profound truth that the absence of the fear of God is the root cause of humanity's sinful state. This lack of reverence and awe for God is the fundamental issue that leads to the moral and spiritual decay we witness in the world. The Apostle Paul, through a series of scriptural quotations, establishes that both Jews and Gentiles are equally under the wrath of God, emphasizing that the law serves to reveal sin rather than justify us. The law's purpose is to silence every self-justifying argument, leaving us guilty before God.

The fear of God, as described in the scriptures, is not merely a fear of punishment but a reverential awe and respect for God's majesty, glory, and holiness. It is the beginning of wisdom and the foundation of true religion. Without this fear, humanity is left to its own devices, leading to chaos and moral decline. The believer, in contrast, is called to live with a constant awareness of God's presence, setting the Lord always before them, which leads to a life of worship, reverence, and a desire to commune with God.

Paul's argument culminates in the understanding that the law's role is to make us aware of our guilt before God. It is a legal and forensic concept, highlighting our liability and answerability to God. This realization is crucial for understanding the doctrine of justification by faith, which Paul will unfold in the subsequent verses. The first need of humanity is not merely to become better or to receive help but to be reconciled with God, escaping the wrath to come through the atoning work of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The absence of the fear of God is the root cause of humanity's sinful state. This lack of reverence leads to moral and spiritual decay, as seen in the world today. The fear of God is not just about being afraid of punishment but involves a deep respect and awe for God's majesty and holiness. [03:47]

- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, serving as the foundation of true religion. Without it, human wisdom is flawed and incomplete. The believer is called to live with a constant awareness of God's presence, setting the Lord always before them, which leads to a life of worship and reverence. [07:07]

- The law reveals sin and silences self-justification. It serves to stop every mouth, leaving us guilty before God. This realization is crucial for understanding the doctrine of justification by faith, as it highlights our need for reconciliation with God. [18:44]

- The concept of guilt before God is a legal and forensic one, emphasizing our liability and answerability to God. It is not merely about our internal state but our standing before God. This understanding is essential for grasping the doctrine of justification. [36:32]

- The first need of humanity is to be reconciled with God, escaping the wrath to come through Christ's atoning work. The gospel's primary message is not about making us better or providing help but addressing our guilt before God and offering salvation through faith in Christ. [42:37]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - Introduction to Romans 3:18-20
[01:02] - The Universality of Sin
[02:14] - Scriptural Quotations and Their Divisions
[03:47] - The Absence of the Fear of God
[06:28] - The Fear of the Lord as the Beginning of Wisdom
[09:33] - Reverence and Godly Fear
[12:31] - The Greatness and Majesty of God
[14:46] - The Fear of Judgment
[16:25] - The Cause of Sinful Actions
[18:44] - The Role of the Law
[21:57] - The Law's Address to the Jews
[24:18] - Silencing Self-Justification
[29:06] - Job's Encounter with God
[34:44] - The Universality of Guilt
[39:02] - The First Need of Humanity
[44:08] - The Gospel's Primary Message

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 3:18-20
- Psalm 36:1
- Hebrews 12:28-29

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Romans 3:18-20 reveal about the purpose of the law according to the sermon? ([18:44])

2. How does Psalm 36:1 describe the state of the wicked, and how is this related to the absence of the fear of God? ([04:14])

3. In Hebrews 12:28-29, what kind of fear is described, and how does it differ from being afraid of punishment? ([10:15])

4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the phrase "no fear of God before their eyes" in understanding humanity's sinful state? ([03:47])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the absence of the fear of God lead to moral and spiritual decay, as discussed in the sermon? ([06:28])

2. What does the sermon suggest is the role of the law in silencing self-justification and revealing sin? ([18:44])

3. How does the concept of guilt before God, as a legal and forensic term, help us understand the doctrine of justification by faith? ([36:32])

4. Why is the fear of the Lord considered the beginning of wisdom, and how does this foundation impact a believer's life? ([07:07])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Is there an area where you feel you lack the fear of God? How might this be affecting your spiritual growth? ([03:47])

2. The sermon emphasizes living with a constant awareness of God's presence. What practical steps can you take to set the Lord always before you in your daily routine? ([07:07])

3. How do you respond when confronted with your own sinfulness? Do you find yourself trying to justify your actions, or are you able to acknowledge your guilt before God? ([18:44])

4. Consider the role of reverence and godly fear in your approach to worship and prayer. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of awe and respect for God's majesty in your spiritual practices? ([10:15])

5. The sermon highlights the need for reconciliation with God through Christ's atoning work. How does this understanding shape your view of the gospel's primary message? ([42:37])

6. In what ways can you encourage others in your community to develop a healthy fear of the Lord, and why is this important for collective spiritual growth? ([06:28])

7. How can you apply the understanding of being "guilty before God" to foster humility and reliance on God's grace in your interactions with others? ([36:32])

Devotional

Day 1: Reverence for God as the Foundation of Morality
The absence of the fear of God is identified as the root cause of humanity's sinful state. This lack of reverence and awe for God leads to moral and spiritual decay, as seen in the world today. The fear of God is not merely about being afraid of punishment but involves a deep respect and awe for God's majesty and holiness. It is the beginning of wisdom and the foundation of true religion. Without this fear, humanity is left to its own devices, leading to chaos and moral decline. The believer is called to live with a constant awareness of God's presence, setting the Lord always before them, which leads to a life of worship, reverence, and a desire to commune with God. [03:47]

"Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm." (Psalm 33:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper reverence for God in your daily life, and how might this change your interactions with others today?


Day 2: Wisdom Begins with the Fear of the Lord
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, serving as the foundation of true religion. Without it, human wisdom is flawed and incomplete. The believer is called to live with a constant awareness of God's presence, setting the Lord always before them, which leads to a life of worship and reverence. This awareness transforms the believer's perspective, allowing them to see the world through the lens of God's truth and wisdom. It is this divine wisdom that guides the believer in making decisions that honor God and reflect His character. [07:07]

"The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor." (Proverbs 15:33, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally set the Lord before you today in a way that influences your decisions and actions?


Day 3: The Law's Role in Revealing Sin
The law reveals sin and silences self-justification. It serves to stop every mouth, leaving us guilty before God. This realization is crucial for understanding the doctrine of justification by faith, as it highlights our need for reconciliation with God. The law's purpose is not to justify us but to make us aware of our guilt before God. It is a legal and forensic concept, emphasizing our liability and answerability to God. This understanding is essential for grasping the doctrine of justification, which Paul will unfold in the subsequent verses. [18:44]

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: What self-justifying arguments do you find yourself making, and how can you allow the truth of God's law to silence them today?


Day 4: Understanding Our Guilt Before God
The concept of guilt before God is a legal and forensic one, emphasizing our liability and answerability to God. It is not merely about our internal state but our standing before God. This understanding is essential for grasping the doctrine of justification. Recognizing our guilt before God is the first step towards seeking reconciliation with Him. It is through this acknowledgment that we come to understand the necessity of Christ's atoning work and the grace that is offered through faith. [36:32]

"Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!" (Psalm 19:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge your guilt before God, and how can this lead you to seek His forgiveness and grace today?


Day 5: Reconciliation with God Through Christ
The first need of humanity is to be reconciled with God, escaping the wrath to come through Christ's atoning work. The gospel's primary message is not about making us better or providing help but addressing our guilt before God and offering salvation through faith in Christ. This reconciliation is the foundation of the believer's relationship with God, transforming their life and purpose. It is through Christ's atoning work that believers find peace with God and the hope of eternal life. [42:37]

"For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." (Colossians 1:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embrace the reconciliation offered through Christ today, and what steps can you take to live out this new relationship with God?

Quotes


The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, serving as the foundation of true religion. Without it, human wisdom is flawed and incomplete. The believer is called to live with a constant awareness of God's presence, setting the Lord always before them, which leads to a life of worship and reverence. [00:07:07]

The absence of the fear of God is the root cause of humanity's sinful state. This lack of reverence leads to moral and spiritual decay, as seen in the world today. The fear of God is not just about being afraid of punishment but involves a deep respect and awe for God's majesty and holiness. [00:03:47]

The law reveals sin and silences self-justification. It serves to stop every mouth, leaving us guilty before God. This realization is crucial for understanding the doctrine of justification by faith, as it highlights our need for reconciliation with God. [00:18:44]

The concept of guilt before God is a legal and forensic one, emphasizing our liability and answerability to God. It is not merely about our internal state but our standing before God. This understanding is essential for grasping the doctrine of justification. [00:36:32]

The first need of humanity is to be reconciled with God, escaping the wrath to come through Christ's atoning work. The gospel's primary message is not about making us better or providing help but addressing our guilt before God and offering salvation through faith in Christ. [00:42:37]

The fear that we are talking about here is somewhat different; it's the reverential awe. It's what the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews means when he says in Hebrews 12:28, let us approach him with reverence and with godly fear, for our God is a consuming fire. [00:10:14]

The believer is to have this fear of God, this reverence and godly fear. He starts by realizing the glory of God, the greatness and the might and the majesty of God. So that really, the more we know God and the more truly pious we are, the less inclined shall we be probably in prayer. [00:11:37]

The trouble with this man of the world, before whose eyes there is no fear of God, is that he cares not about God nor men. He says he is bold and arrogant, he dismisses the, he blasphemes the name of God, he sins without a fear. He says, I fear neither God nor men. [00:15:12]

The whole world does thus been proved to be liable in the presence of God, liable to the court. There's a prosecution, you are liable in law, you've done something, and you're liable, you've got an answer to make, you are told to appear on a charge, you must give an answer. [00:36:32]

The first thing that the gospel of Christ does is to enable us to escape from the wrath to come. That's the first thing. The first problem is how to escape condemnation. So that if you are speaking to a highly moral, good, philanthropic person who never seems to have done any harm to anybody. [00:44:08]

The Scriptures have shown us what God is like. My dear friends, the trouble with all of us is that we don't know God. What a tremendous talker Job was, and oh, how much he'd got to say. He said, oh, I knew all that, I knew well I might find him. [00:29:06]

The effective and understanding of these scriptures is thus silenced in him. He's just gotta say it true, I've nothing to say, I give up, I give you. If you like, you can put it in terms of that verse in the 46 Psalm, be still and know that I am God. [00:33:44]

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Transcript
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