by Joe Palvado

Created on: October 18, 2009   Last Updated: October 19, 2009

I write from an overtly Christian perspective and am neither sufficiently educated nor gifted enough to articulate the beliefs of other monotheistic faiths that worship the one God. Confident these faiths nonetheless possess authentic charisms and gifts from the only one true God, this argument is based upon an orthodox Christian understanding of God, his commandments and his irrevocable love for humanity.

"I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one (Luke 12:7)." The preceding admonition was delivered by Jesus Christ, the One who can neither deceive nor be deceived. Jesus is the Son of God who through the mystery of hypostatic union with the Father and the Holy Spirit became a perfect human, was crucified, resurrected and remains eternal Lord and God. It follows that if God commands humanity to fear him, humanity would do well to obey him.

To be certain, God is to be feared but not in the same fashion as we fear bumps in the night, menacing dogs, spiders, snakes or badly acting people. Fear of God among those who believe in him is more akin to an awesome reverence, an amazement, a deep admiration and respect for the singular being who is so sublime and so in love with his creation that he holds no personal sacrifice too great in order to preserve us from the perdition we deserve. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but may have eternal life (John 1:13)." Fear of God is wholesome, appropriate and beneficial. "Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10)."

Yes, we should fear God. We should also dread even the possibility of losing our fear of God or our reverence for him. Fear of God is an essential mind set for, in keeping God's commandments, promises and presence before us, we are assured not only of our salvation, but also guaranteed that although we are finite and sinful human beings, our creator and savior has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life. He has paid the price for our sins. He has forgiven the guilt and paid the consequential penalty for our selfishness. All he asks in return is our devotion, our faith in him and a constant obedience to his command to above all love God first and our neighbors as ourselves.

"See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him," says the psalmist in Psalm 33 of the Bible's Old Testament. The eyes of the Lord fall upon those with whom he has a relationship, upon those who revere him and who love him. As love for God grows, fear that might otherwise arise from guilt becomes transformed by God's grace into an ever deepening appreciation and awe of God's astonishing mercy and love, thus drawing his beloved into a refining fire where perfect love casts out all fear.

Should we fear God? By all means! No being is greater, more worthy or more powerful. No other god offers joy beyond our comprehension or love beyond our deserving.

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