For the past two weeks I have been wading into a subject area that is difficult to talk about though it is one of the most prevalent themes in Bible. The subject is “THE FEAR OF THE LORD,” or perhaps better conveyed in our language and culture as, “PERMEATED WITH REVERENCE FOR GOD.”
So far I’ve tried to communicate the reality of the paradox between “GOD IS LOVE” and our responsibility to walk in “THE FEAR OF THE LORD,” and how we are to navigate in life maintaining this holy tension. Last week I drilled a little deeper into the reality that in the Early Church, which in many ways is a pattern for us to follow, the Bible repeatedly says there was “GREAT GRACE,” GREAT POWER,” and “GREAT FEAR”. We looked at chapter 5 where it tells us twice that “GREAT FEAR CAME UPON THEM ALL.” We all love the “GREAT GRACE” and the “GREAT POWER” part, but we have a little problem with the GREAT FEAR aspect, partly because of how the word fear is most commonly understood and applied. Typically it means to be terrified or stricken with fright, an emotional response to some circumstance, or some perceived impending circumstance. According to 1 John 4, “fear has torment,” which means your soul/emotional seat is being constantly bombarded with terror and fright. This is one side of the coin in regards to FEAR, but that is not the side the BIBLE is referencing when it mentions “WALKING IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD.”
As mentioned last week a severe and immediate judgment fell on two people in the Acts 5 because they chose to blatantly lie, or more important to understand, to intentionally misrepresent themselves to Peter and the early church. Their words betrayed their actions. Satan was trying to gain entry into the profound explosion of light, life and love through HYPOCRISY. This is hell’s chief tactic in trying to derail and ultimately destroy any move of God. So, it is after this incident that it says twice, “great fear came upon all.” There was a pervasive awe and reverence for the One who was not only blessing them with profound signs, wonders and miracles, but was also calling them to live transformed lives. The way we were created to live. The way we were created to relate to Him and each other. The way of selflessness, kindness, authenticity, forgiving one another, bearing with one another, serving one another, loving our enemies, blessing those who curse us, doing good to those who hate us, praying for those who despitefully use us…this is walking in the Fear of The Lord. Living in such a way that it honors the One gave His life for mankind.
Talking about terror and fright…I receive a number of emails and info from different groups reminding me that we are living in the last days and that God is not pleased with how far America has drifted from Him. This week I received a phone call from a great Christian brother that I really love and respect. He was asking me if I had received some of the latest prophetic warnings from some very respected Christian leaders…when I said yes, he asked me what I was going to do about it. He proceeded to tell me how many MRE’s he has, various supplies, a years worth of TP (toilet paper)…he just bought a 12-gauge shotgun and was having a difficult time finding shells because they are being bought up right now. I said you know what we are going to do, we’re going to serve each other, we’re going to give to each other, we are going to feed each other, we are going to help and take care of one another…we’re going to try and live like the early church.
LUKE 12:1-7
vs. 1 – “beware of the leaven…which is hypocrisy.” He was warning them of being inauthentic…the very thing that was addressed in Acts 5…why does he use the illustration of yeast?
1. It can exist without being immediately detected. Yeast mixed in flour is not known until it produces its effects.
2. It is insinuating. Yeast will soon pervade the whole mass. So hypocrisy, if undetected and unremoved, will soon pervade all that we do.
3. It is swelling. It puffs us up, and fills us with pride and vanity. No man is more proud than the hypocrite, and none is more odious to God. Biblical Christianity is one of sincerity and humility. He who has the least disguise is most like his Master.
Putting it all together…
1. Choose Authenticity. Resist Hypocrisy.
2. Choose to Live In The Light. Resist Living In the Shadows.
3. Revere God. Receive His Value of You.
3 comments:
First, thank you for doing this. It is a whole new tool that I am using in my weekly studying and I am being doubly blessed by the message you share.
Secondly, thank you for the message. Being authentic is an issue that I hear so much of from the secular world on a day to day basis. " If you Christians would be more real, I would think about coming back to church". My answer is always that we all are human and make mistakes but it is good to hear scripture that brings us back to center as well.
Be blessed- as you are a blessing to the flock that God has presented you with.
Lynne Ronan
I was out last week for kid's church and had not gotten to hear the message. Wow, this is such a timely word! It reminds me of the conversation that we were all having during the young adults meeting on Friday. Britney was sharing about the power of revelation. I always wondered how the Pharisees and religious leaders could have missed being changed by the revelation of the messiah in their midst. Maybe it was their hypocrisy that bred the outrageous pride that blinded them.
I'm not sure I have nodded my head so much in one sitting as I did on Sunday during the message. This very subject is what I have been longing for in my own life. Truly living a life "permeated with reverance for God". Not just another body putting on my church clothes and my church face walking in and taking up church space. No more "knowing" and not "doing", but really honoring God with our whole selves, not only in contact with others but with our thought life also. Just like you mentioned a little yeast affecting the whole batch, our thoughts affect our whole being. I'm sure everyone is looking for realness in themselves and those around them. God, help us to live a life honoring You in private and public. That is what being real is. Thank You, Don, for not only hearing God, but listening. The tough subjects bring us to a higher level.
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