Fear God
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Prov 1:7)
To fear the Lord means to have deep reverence for Him.
God is a holy God.
No sinner can stand in His presence without being judged for his sins.
God is a God of judgment.
But rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matt 10:28)
We deserve punishment for our sins in an eternal hell. God is just if He sends us there.
But thank the Lord for His grace and mercies. He paid the price of our sins through His Son Jesus.
Yet we cannot be presumptuous in our approach to God.
We cannot pat Him on His back presumptuously and say, “Hey, forgive my sins ah!”
Only a fool would approach God without realizing his sinfulness and the serious consequences of his sins and the price that Jesus paid on the cross.
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. (Heb 12:28-29)
The fear of God is the starting point of salvation.
It is only when we realize our utter helplessness, our condemnation, and our need for God that we become wise.
We fear God for who He is.
He deserves our reverence and awe.
Fear Him.
(MT)