Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Thanks for joining us on pre-Turkey Sunday. Remember that Thanksgiving is about “giving thanks to God.” For extra credit, check out my past Thanksgiving Bible studies, Vols. 36, 88, and 140. Then, you will be prepared to be the spiritual leader at your table to those whose thinking aligns with that of my dear departed sister Andrea, who famously proclaimed, “I love Thanksgiving because all you have to do is show up and eat.”
Last week, we discussed “What the Old Testament Says About Fearing God.” So, for those who missed it for excused reasons, please take five and catch up now. Loyal readers know what happens next — a “while we wait for you” song. The songs I heard specifically about fear were highly inappropriate for the record. That prompted my husband to suggest the band “Tears For Fears,” and voila, “Shout Shout,” a favorite flashback from the 80s.
Without further ado, let's plunge into the New Testament where, before Jesus sends out his apostles, He says:
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
Jesus was teaching that although the apostles were going to be subject to persecution and even martyrdom, they should not fear those in authority who could only kill their bodies and not their souls. But they should reserve their fear for God, who can kill their body and soul in hell. Harsh!
However, God does not want us to live in constant fear of Him. Fear of God is about God wanting us to respect Him for who He is—Almighty God, the great King of the Universe who reigns with power and love. God is love. But fearing His power motivates those who love Him and understand why knowing God equally involves love and fear.
Last week, we read this famous Proverb: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). Knowledge starts with understanding that God is love and because He created us and loved us first, He extends His mercy when we sin.
When Mother Mary was pregnant, she visited her relative Elizabeth (also pregnant with John the Baptist.) While there, Mary offered praise and thanksgiving to God in a passionate prayer known as “The Magnificat,” or “Mary’s Song,” discussed in Vol. 19. Here are the opening verses:
“My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on, all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation” (Luke 1:46-55).
Mary beautifully explains that the Mighty One’s name is holy, and “His mercy extends to those who fear Him” forever and ever. She rejoices in Him. He understands her. She is blessed because of Him. Be sure to read it all. Mary explains loving and fearing God with such faith and wisdom for a teenage girl pregnant under the most unusual circumstances and why He chose her to bear His Son.
Also, in Luke, Jesus defines the downside of human character in a parable about an “unjust judge,” describing him as someone who "neither feared God nor cared about men" (Luke 18:2).
Later in Luke, fear of God is discussed between the two criminals hanging on the crosses next to Jesus. A fascinating conversation in a torturous situation:
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise’” (Luke 23:39-43).
If you are being punished for a crime that deserves death but have no remorse nor have asked forgiveness, then “Don’t you fear God?” is an appropriate question.
In Acts, the early church leaders struck a faith balance between fear and comfort:
“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied” (Acts 9:31).
St. Paul, writing in 2 Corinthians, reminds the faithful about God's promises from ancient times written in the Torah Book of Leviticus and connects those promises to fear of God.
“‘For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.’ “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” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
Paul writes about working out your salvation, fear of God, with how God works with you:
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13).
Paul helps us understand God’s nature and what He did for us, writing:
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1-7).
There are so many more inspiring fear-related verses, so please continue your Bible research because fear of God is a misunderstood theological truth because we can love to fear God. We conclude with these two “truths”:
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (1 John 4-18).
Our final verse mirrors what Jesus said earlier in (Matthew 10:28):
“So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:6). Now, go live your life, love and serve God with that truth. Amen!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
She is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit, dedicated to building a future permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. The National Shroud of Turin Exhibit recently hosted a four-day exhibit (with a VIP guest) at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, IN. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com