“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13.

Fear is defined as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. It is natural to avoid and run from things that will harm us. Then why would the Bible teach us to fear God who loves us unconditionally? “Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.” Psalm 33:8.

A former German priest, and theologian from the 16^th century, Martin Luther made a distinction between various kinds of fear; In his writings he distinguished between what he called a servile fear and a filial fear.

Servile fear denotes the fear of looming danger or impending torture/pain. The example Martin Luther gave was of a servant who feared their master when an indiscretion occurred, resulting in severe punishment, or even death. In this case fear led to obedience to the master out of an unhealthy fear.

Filial fear is much different, his example was to imagine a child who has enormous respect and love for his father… he has no desire to offend or displease his father; not because he is afraid of punishment, but because he loves him with his whole heart. In fact, when he does disobey, he finds grace and restoration, not condemnation from the father.

Reverential fear can be strongly associated to filial fear that Luther described- but it far exceeds the human relationship and describes a spiritual expression of love, a holy fear, an awe and respect for the majesty and holiness of God. … it is this fear that we are called to have for Him alone; we must take the posture of that little child who seeks to please the father and surrender our all to our Lord and Savior.

As born-again believers, we do not walk this journey of life in the fear that God will torture, or even kill us, but because we humbly recognize who He is. Revelations 1:8 tells us exactly who He is . . . “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

My friends, I am here to tell you the He is the I AM…the Great Shepherd of the sheep; our provider, deliver, protector, our all in all. Let us love, worship, and adore Him with our whole heart. Praise God that He first loved us, and we can run to the foot of the cross and find His amazing grace and restoration for our sin sick souls! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

So, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13. It is impossible for us to reverence, worship and fully serve God without the understanding that He is the One who holds life in His hands . . . His will be done in all things!

Blessings, glory, and honor to the One true and living God, our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ!