https://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2016/
FEAR CAN BE POSITIVE! BY STEVE FINNELL
Why do some reject Jesus as Lord and
Savior and others accept Him? Why is it, some accept the teaching found
in Scripture concerning the terms for pardon and other believe in the
man-made traditions found in creed books and statements of faith? Could
there be a direct correlation between rejecting the truth and not
fearing God?
FEAR OF GOD IS A POSITIVE
FEAR OF GOD IS A POSITIVE
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.
Fear of the Lord is the introduction to wisdom. Lack of fear produces the absence of wisdom.
Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
Fear of the Lord lengthens your days here on earth.
Proverbs 16:6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
Fear of the Lord helps men avoid evil.
THE TWO CRIMINALS AND FEAR OF GOD
Luke 23:39-43 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying , "Are you not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." 42 And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" 43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."
THE FIRST CRIMINAL DID NOT FEAR GOD
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Without fear of God there is no way men can understand the truth. Without wisdom, knowledge, and understanding men are left hanging on the cross with the first criminal.
FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE FIRST STEP TO ACCEPTING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.
John 12:42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue;
The rulers did not confess Jesus because they feared the Pharisees more than they feared the Lord. The question is; how many preachers today will not preach water baptism as being essential for salvation because they fear losing their jobs more than they fear God?
Why do some men fear saying, Jesus is the only way to the Father?(John14:6)
Why do men fear teaching the terms of pardon.
FAITH: John 3:16
REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19
CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:37
BAPTISM: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 22:16
Do men preach their doctrine because they fear God or do they fear that they might be ostracized by their family, friends, lodge brothers, church members, and society in general if they preach the truth?
DO MEN REFRAIN FROM PREACHING THE COMPLETE TRUTH BECAUSE THEY FEAR LOSING THEIR POSITION IN THE CHURCH?
ACCEPTING JESUS AND TEACHING THE TRUTH STARTS WITH FEAR OF THE LORD!