The Bible says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)” Do you fear God?
King Solomon, undoubtedly the wisest man who ever lived, afforded himself all of the pleasures his heart could desire, only to conclude, “Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. (Ecclesiastes 12:8).” And then he shared his life’s most valuable lesson, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13).”
So, the concept of fearing God is certainly taught in the scriptures, but it seems to have evolved over the years. It is common in our day to hear preachers say that fear, when used with respect to God, should always be understood as reverence toward God. Nothing could be further from the truth.
It is spiritually unhealthy to forget that our God hates sin. To those who know Him well He cautions, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Hebrews 12:6).” And to the unbeliever He gives notice, “…he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36).” Obviously God takes our sin seriously, …maybe we should too.
Perhaps you have heard that in His great love God has provided an escape from the eternal consequences of sin. The death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ has satisfied the requirements of God’s justice for everyone who will receive His forgiveness by faith. You have a choice: Live in your sin to enjoy its pleasures for a season, or be saved from it.
God hates sin and what it has done to His creation. Because you and I are sinners, maybe we should heed the words of the Psalmist, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom… (Psalm 111:10).”