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What does this question mean to most people? For some, I am sure it invokes a God of awesome power displaying His mighty wrath on all of those who dare to break His laws. For others, their view of God does not allow for judgment or fear of a God who they only see as love. Is either of these correct or is there another answer?

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. This is the primary imperative that a Christian should follow in the day to day search for God's truth. It is the Holy Bible that is the revealed word of God to us, and it should be our basis for answering any question.

The fear of God in scripture is often misconstrued, in its simplest form it is reverential trust in God and a corresponding hatred of evil (sin). The exact phrase "the fear of the LORD" appears twenty-nine times in the Old Testament, King James Version and one time in the New Testament. The overwhelming theme of the Old Testament verses is that the fear of the Lord will deliver the people of Israel to a state where God can increase their knowledge of Him and wisdom of His ways. In Acts 9:31 we find "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied." Thus, there is no basis for holding that the fear of the Lord is no longer applicable to a New Testament believer. In fact, this would indicate that the reverence and trust in the Lord is necessary for the expansion of the church.

But an academic exercise in the Word of God is not what the fear of the Lord is about, it is about getting to love what He loves and hate what He hates. It is also coming to an understanding that the penalty of my sin has been paid by Jesus the Son, as a gift to me from my Heavenly Father. The judgment of God is offset by His mercy which can be shown due to the willing act of Jesus on the cross.

As a father of four here on earth, I want my children to love me, but I am not here to always be their friend. I want them to have reverence (respect) for me, I have to sometimes be the judge of their actions and establish the consequences, and I can also show them mercy by not always giving them the penalty that is rightful result of their actions. In other words, show my children what my Father has shown to me, His child.

Should I fear God my answer is most definitely yes. In so doing, I obey His commandments and can be taught to be more like Him. As Christians, we should all desire the same.

Learn more about this author, P. Byrd.
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