When was the last time you heard a sermon on “the fear of the Lord?”  On the other hand, what about grace?  Of course, grace proliferates every sermon and song we hear.  But “the fear of the Lord?”  I don’t think so. There is rarely even a mention of it.

I was a new Christian when the fear of God first fell on me (a very biblical expression and experience).  It marked me for life.  So today, balancing my white hot love affair with Abba as I sit nestled on His welcoming lap is the constant awareness Father also loves me enough to correct and discipline me.

We are told culture cannot tell the difference between a Christian and an unbeliever.  Did you ever wonder why?   Here’s a leading reason: there is no fear of God in His people!  You see, “the fear of the Lord is clean,” and “the fear of the Lord is to hate evil” (among a long list of other things—a great Bible study).

Paul said: “Cleanse yourself…perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” The aged Solomon wrote: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God.”

When a nation, a people, a church, or an individual loses it fear of God, morality and integrity decline… and God turns His face.

Guest blog contributor:
Dr. Jeff Farmer
Chairperson of PCCNA (Pentecostal Charismatic Churches of North America)