I was reading in Job this morning and came across a message that resonated with the heaviness and inner wrestling that I’ve experienced on and off for years now – division among Christians.
Job 32:2; 37:23-24 justifying himself rather than God. ...justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.
The Fear of God.
Is this what we are missing? Is this what we have lost?
Again and again, the scriptures talk of the “fear” of the Lord and many times correlate it to the beginning of wisdom.
Fear. Don’t perceive this term from a secular perspective, but do take a moment and think about how you allow fear when it comes to man (i.e. the fear of letting someone down, failing at something, being seen in a negative light, or being found out).
The Fear of God involves reverential awe of our Maker (love and justice), a posture of humility (the sobering realization of our sin and His holiness), and the active turning from what He deems evil. Not flaws, shortcomings, weaknesses, or mistakes as I used to like to call them. Sin.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Christians, I ask you to stop and evaluate – Do you fear God?
When we accuse or judge (inwardly or outwardly) out of righteous indignation?
When we reinterpret or pick and choose scriptures to fit our situations, beliefs, or feelings?
When we begin to deconstruct because of our own sin or suffering, or the harmful actions of another?
When we discount God’s holiness by thinking that we are not that bad or not as bad as someone else?
When we focus on the sins of others instead of our own?
All the division, hurt, and confusion present today leads me to believe we are so far from a true fear of the Lord. We are sitting on the thrones of our hearts. We are misrepresenting God and the gospel. We are creating a counterfeit Jesus based on our own ideas, perspectives, and the changing culture. This is so dangerous. Maybe even blasphemy. Jesus does not change. He is the same today, yesterday, and forever. How do we know the true Jesus or when we have created a counterfeit? By holding to God's Word. The whole Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
John 1:1; 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
We need a heart check.
Self-reflection so far has led me here: The fear of the lord takes humility. My convictions have even led me to become mindful of using the word proud.
In my wrestling, I keep hearing
"Trust Me" - Proverbs 3:5-6
"Seek Me" - John 29:13
"Hold fast to My Word" - John 8:31-32
and "Check your own sin" - Matthew 7:3-5
What is God saying to you? If we will fear the Lord, the division between Christians will disappear. Since we are of one Spirit (the Holy Spirit) (1 Corinthians 12:13), allowing Him to fully lead will automatically result in realignment.
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