Saturday, March 04, 2006

Fear comes First

I pondered Hebrews 11:7 today and then read the narrative of how Noah was "Divinely warned".

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with Godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. HEBREWS 11:7 New King James Version.

It seems that Hope didn't really come into the equation anywhere in the Salvation of Noah and his household - only Fear! Yes, it says 'by Faith' but Faith cannot exist without FEAR (Or, Love). Faith is that behaviour in accordance with God's Word out of Fear (Or, Love)!

Jesus had 'His [God's] Fear' in His heart (see Jeremiah 32:40) and as such always did those things that pleased Him (John 8:29), said those things He was told to say (John 12:50), and Obeyed those commandments God gave Him to Obey even unto the death on a Cross (see John 10:18; 14:31; Philippians 2:27 and Isaiah 53:12).

As Children of God we too are to 'Fear God and keep His commandments' (See Ecclesiastes 12:13) in working out our Salvation.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. PHILIPPIANS 2:12,13 New King James Version

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 NKJV

submitting to one another in the fear of God. EPHESIANS 5:21 NKJV

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