The Fear Factor

Acts 16:35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” 38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city.
 
FROM Acts 16:16 to this point fear and lack of fear have influenced people’s response to Paul’s and Silas’ gospel preaching. When Paul exorcised the demon from the slave girl, the Philippians had no fear of God. They were only concerned the two men threatened the culture’s worship of idols.
   In contrast, when the earthquake released the prisoners, the jailer’s fear turned his heart to God. He knew he was under the authority of a supernatural force.
   Now Philippi’s authorities are afraid Paul and Silas will charge them of violating Rome’s laws. How quickly the authorities are willing to please the men they sentenced to lashings and the deepest darkness of prison. Fear and no fear motivate our behavior.
   God wants you to fear him. He says so in many circumstances throughout Scripture. The most direct is Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Jesus very pointedly warned of the consequences to a soul that does not fear God: Matthew 10:28 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Does that motivate you?
   Your fear of God must be grounded in the understanding he will justly judge your life based on your response to his Word. No fear of God led to Israel’s and Judah’s destruction: Jeremiah 3:8 I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery.
   To fear God is to gain the wisdom and knowledge to honor his law. You worship his holiness. You submit to his commands. You delight in his love. You understand God teaches you what is right because the Father wants you with him.
   God gives you this eternal promise: Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
   Trust God’s warnings. Rejoice in his promises. Thank God Jesus has come to teach you a proper fear of God opens the door to your eternal life.