“But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” Isaiah 8:13 ESV
Reflection: why, or why not, do you fear the Lord?
There seems to be a strange dichotomy in the Bible, between love and fear of God. Jesus reminds us “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37 ESV. And only a few days ago, you might remember that we studied Isaiah’s song of the Lord, where he called Him his “Beloved” friend. But then we read today’s verse “But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” Isaiah 8:13 ESV and “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”Proverbs 1:7 ESV. So, perhaps the question is how you can love someone you fear?
Let’s think for a moment very practically about parenting. There are parents who interpret the “love” of their children as only being their best friend, never an authority figure that can discipline them. This leads unruly children, with no respect or regard for authority figures. On the opposite side of the spectrum, some parents only act in an authority figure towards their children, never showing them love. This approach may lead to children with difficulties having close relationships, or being vulnerable. The ideal parenting is, of course, combining the two, love and authority. Children need to understand who is still in charge, and that there always are consequences for actions. And, critically, they also need to fully know that when discipline and correction is needed, it is done for their benefit, because of love.
So why do we think this is any different than with our Everlasting Father?
We read from the book of Hebrews “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.” Hebrews 12:4-10 ESV
So, we see the greater purpose for God’s discipline of us, is to resemble Him more and more, to “share in His holiness”. Which means, this is a battle against sin, removing sin from our lives. It is not following the wide roadways of the world, but instead walking on the small, narrow and more difficult paths of God. Acknowledging and accepting that God knows better than us. The fear of the Lord is therefore essential in navigating through this world.
We can easily see that there are church communities which focus only on God’s love. And, God is love, no doubt about that, as He has demonstrated so clearly. Sin is not discussed nor dealt with in these churches. But God desires so much more for us. Some churches focus only on God as a strict authority figure, where His love for His children is never discussed or understood. These organizations become legalistic and very cold. And finally, too few churches fall into the third category, of focusing on both love and fear of God.
But what about you and I, how do we see God? Only as a loving Father? Do we mostly look at Him as a strict Father, who is waiting for an opportunity to discipline us? Or do we love and fear Him both?