Lesson #25
Be Holy And Fear God
The Bible tells us that we are to "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13). To fear God is to have a high and awesome respect for God. If we fear God we will be obedient to Him and obey all He says. "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments" (Psalms 112:1). We are blessed greatly in our fear and respect of God. We will delight in His word.God’s word to us says, "But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’" (1 Peter 1:15-16). To be holy we are told to present our "bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God" (Romans 12:1), and "that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love" (Ephesians 1:4).
We must be holy in all our thoughts, actions, dress, and speech. If our thoughts are not holy then our actions, dress, and speech will not be holy. "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). We act as we think. If we want to be pure and holy then we will have "sound speech that cannot be condemned" (Titus 2:8). Those who are holy will "adorn themselves in modest apparel" (1 Timothy 2:9).
We become what we think. God’s word says, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things" (Philippians 4:8). A Christian should think on things that are true. God’s word is true (John 17:17). We must read, study, meditate, and think on God’s word. Thinking on things that are honorable will cause one to be serious minded and to do that which is honorable in God’s eyes. To think on things that are just is to be righteous in accordance with God’s will. To think on things that are pure, we will have pure thoughts in our heart, instead of impure and vulgar thoughts. To think on things that are lovely, we will be kind, patient, and forgiving. In thinking on things that are of good report, we will look for the good in people instead of listening to gossip and jumping to evil conclusions. If we are to have virtue we will have the courage to do what is right. When we as Christians think as this verse teaches, we will have praise from God.
We must have a pure heart and lead a holy life in order to see God in eternity. "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). One who does not lead a holy life cannot go to Heaven. We are to "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). This life is so short and temporary. "Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness" (2 Peter 3:11). So we can be pleasing to God and go to Heaven when this life is over, "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). To fear God we must hold Him in the highest respect and do anything and everything He says.
Why should man fear God? "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalms 111:10). It is very wise to fear God. And "Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways" (Psalms 128:1). Our respect and fear of God will cause us to walk as He directs us, so we can go to Heaven. If we fear God, we will obey Him. Christ is "the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:9). "Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him" (Psalms 85:9). Only those who fear God will do what He says so they can be saved and go to Heaven. The vast majority of people will not do what God says because they do not fear Him, but they will be tormented forever in the eternal fires of Hell (Matthew 7:13-14).
Why don’t many people fear God? "The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’" (Psalms 14:1). Because many people do not believe in God, "There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:18). "A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident" (Proverbs 14:16). If we are to be pleasing to God we must, "Fear the Lord and depart from evil" (Proverbs 3:7), because, "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil" (Proverbs 8:13).
We must be very serious and, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). We are to, "Serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:28-29). What will happen to those who don’t fear God? "The devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone…and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever…and anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:10, 15).
But "As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him" (Psalms 103:13). "He will bless those who fear the Lord" (Psalms 115:13). "God is greatly feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him" (Psalms 89:7). If we fear God, we will highly respect Him and do all He says. The blessings of the Lord will be beyond the wildest imagination of those who fear Him, "Because eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). Let’s have the greatest of respect and fear for our God and Creator, who loves and cares for us and holds our eternal destiny in His hands, so we can be with Him through out all of eternity.
Questions Lesson
#25
Be Holy And Fear God
(Click on the button of the answer
of your choice)
1) (1 Peter 1:15-16) Because God is holy
We should not be holy.
We should be holy.
We cannot live a holy life.
2) (Proverbs 23:7) We act different than we think.
3) (Philippians 4:8) On what should we meditate?
On worldly things.
On what we want to think.
On things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely and of good report.
4) (1 Timothy 2:9) We should adorn ourselves in modest apparel.
5) (Matthew 5:8) Who will see God?
The pure in heart.
All people.
Most people.
6) (Hebrews 12:14) Those who do not pursue peace and holiness will not see God.
7) (Ecclesiastes 12:13) What is the whole duty of man?
To make a lot of money.
To have a good time.
To fear God and keep His commandments.
8) (2 Peter 3:11) This earth and universe will never be dissolved.
9) (Psalms 111:10) What is the beginning of wisdom?
The fear of the Lord.
Going to college.
Doing a lot of reading.
10) (Hebrews 5:9) Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him.
11) (Proverbs 14:16) What does a wise man do?
Continues to do evil things.
Fears God and departs from evil.
Does not fear God.
12) (Psalms 14:1) The fool says in his heart, "There is no God".
13) (Philippians 2:12) How should we work out our salvation?
With fear and trembling.
As we choose.
We do not need to work out our salvation.
14) (Proverbs 3:7) We are to fear the Lord and depart from evil.