What is the fear of the Lord?

The phrase appears on the pages of Scripture nearly 30 times. Yet quantifying it seems to be somewhat difficult. This is especially true when we consider passages like 1 John 4:18 where we are told perfect love casts out all fear. How then are we to understand the idea of an ongoing fear of the Lord, and yet a full comprehension of His love?

The answer seems best answered in the context of Proverbs 1. A fitting passage I think for what has been termed in our culture “April Fool’s Day.” Here is wisdom for all of us “April’s fools”.

The Writer of the Proverbs opens his powerful and majestic book with a preface describing what he was after in penning it: “To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity.” (vss. 2-3) And then as a summary of his stated direction, and to put in one phrase what he is going to explore throughout the following chapters he tells us: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

In short, if I am catching his drift rightly, he is giving us a worldview of staggering proportions in an amazing economy of words. In essence, I believe he is simply stating, that the fear of the Lord, is to live life in God, fully aware that we are all held to an absolute standard of righteousness, which will be judged and administrated in absolute justice, which will end in absolute fairness wrought out in the context of righteousness and justice. In other words, it is to recognize that God’s standard of righteousness – is the standard of righteousness all are judged by. That in His righteousness, justice must be done, and cannot be perverted or neglected – there are no plea bargains. And that all of this is carried out on an absolutely level playing field – in perfect fairness to all involved, without perverting justice or lowering the standard.

Fools want to live in a universe that has a curved standard, a flexible justice, and fairness perceived mainly in relationship to themselves. But the wise man, sees the universe God’s way – through the lens of God’s own righteousness, justice and equity – and thus flees to God for mercy in Christ – where all of these are met in Him. Fools do not fear God. They dismiss these concepts. The wise – fear the Lord. Not living in terror, but in the mercy and grace that fear leads them to in our Savior.

How are we to think about the recent events which saw the shameful resignation of Governor Spitzer in in New York State?

Noting while we try to address this, how he only fits a long standing pattern of such behaviors which is only increasing over time. President Clinton & Monica Lewinsky; Presidential Candidate Gary Hart & Donna Rice; NJ Governor James McGreevy & his male aide; Congressman Wilber Mills & stripper Fanne Fox; Senator Bob Packwood – numerous cases of sexual harassment; Grover Cleveland fathered an illegitimate child before his Presidency; Congressman Gary Condit & Chandra Levy; Congressman Mel Richards & a 16 year old campaign worker; Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt & 14 year old babysitter; Senator Brock Adams – 8 counts of sexual harassment, sexual assault & rape; Congressman Mark Foley – sexual text messages to male Pages; Congressman Bob Livingston – extra-marital affair; Mayor Jim West of Spokane WA – molesting young boys; Senator Larry Craig – lewd conduct in an airport men’s room; Congressman Wayne Hays – put his mistress on the House payroll; Senator Ted Kennedy & Mary Jo Kopechne; Congressman Barney Frank & his male lover who ran  a male prostitute ring out of Frank’s home. And the list goes on and on.

Proverbs 28:2 reads:

This need to refrain either from despising (treating lightly) or wearying of the Lord’s discipline is true whether you are the subject of such loving discipline, or if you are in leadership and must be an agent in carrying it out, or, if you are part of a Body which engages actively in such outward love.

All three applications must be made.

a. The sinner, treats the Father’s discipline as though it is a light thing. Either that God does not discipline, or, that He does not take unrepentant sin in our lives very seriously. It is easy then too – if we DO live in the reality of His loving discipline, to grow weary of of it, as though we can do NOTHING right and want to just get away from every manifestation of it. Such need to be reminded this is love, and the product of His delight in us. To pay us the supreme compliment, that the Lord of the universe pays attention to the details of our lives.

b. Leadership can treat it lightly and thus neglect it. Or, being confronted with many needs to administer it in certain seasons, grow exceedingly weary in the process. But we are to be agents of God’s love – NOT His wrath. We must keep this focus and not let it cross over into something heavy and odious. We too must remember how the Father is delighting in sons and daughters, and that we are there to manifest His love, care and concern in His active involvement in their lives.

c. So too a congregation can begin to wonder if Church discipline is really all that necessary. After all, it is painful, uncomfortable. We naturally dislike it. As a people we can grow weary and just say – “lets’ let God handle it alone – why get ourselves all upset at people’s sins?” Then again, we must take up the banner of love and be sure we do not neglect to love in the hard places. To do what is uncomfortable, when it is best for the ones we are loving in Christ’s name.

DON’T FORGET THE UPCOMING ROCHESTER THEOLOGY CONFERENCE!!!!

After years of reading and research, Flynn has posted a MASSIVE amount of Calvin quotations on the Calvin and Calvinism blog that should transform opinion about the great Reformer!

This is a MUST read for anyone who has ever wrestled with getting a solid handle on disputed areas of Calvin’s theology – especially as regards the atonement. The data simply must be reckoned with regardless of where you stand on the issue, or where you end up on it.

DON’T FORGET THE ROCHESTER THEOLOGY CONFERENCE – INFORMATION HERE!!!!

I had the distinct honor of speaking for the Sovereign Grace Baptist Association Men’s Retreat this past weekend in Lapeer Michigan. It was hosted by my dear friend Pastor Fred Leuck at his church, Thornville Baptist.

If you would like to hear the audio from those sessions, you can do so free of charge HERE