by Pat Lunsford

Created on: December 14, 2010   Last Updated: July 18, 2011

Considering the triviality of this fallen world and what little time we spend in it compared to the magnitude of eternal life in heaven, the thought of being rejected by God should strike fear in the heart of any sane individual. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” (Prov. 9:10)

Anyone who has searched the scriptures for any length of time is well aware of the awesome majesty of the Almighty God. He is the pinnacle of greatness whose very name causes demons to tremble.

The early Christians certainly feared God. Many of them were eye witnesses to the Lord’s miracles and his resurrection. They were well acquainted with the power of God and the consequences of deliberate disobedience.

The church saw what happened to Ananias when he blatantly lied to God. "Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost... thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God." Ananias fell dead right then at Peter's feet and when Peter confronted Sapphira, she lied also and immediately, she fell dead as well. (Acts 5:1-5)

However, those who fear this aspect of God’s power are those who deliberately oppose him such as Satan and his demons. Those who are God’s children have what is commonly referred to as godly or holy fear which is to be so awestruck and amazed that nothing can divert your attention from him. It’s like the fear experienced on a super rollercoaster that terrifies and exhilarates in the same moment.

But this awesome fear is experienced only by those that have turned to him. The fear experienced by the unbeliever is one of absolute terror."It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Heb. 10:31)

The Apostle Paul understood the fear of God. "Let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire." (Hebrews 12:28)

Those who have no fear of God do not know him. He is the perfect Father and always does what is best for his children even when he knows it is going to hurt. We tell our children that we know what is best for them. God tells us the same thing. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways... For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Is.55:8-9)

There are some who think of God in human terms which is a sad mistake. He is the greatest being in existence and though we were created in his image we are fallen creatures who would disintegrate

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