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FEARING THE LORD is a DIVINE COMMAND AND A DAILY CHOICE

“For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:” Proverbs 1:29

God commands all men to fear Him. Any person who claims he just wants to love God and not fear Him, is exposed as a rebel – someone who is lawless, doing things on their own terms. “Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire” is what’s coming their way! (Matthew 25:41)

May God instill in the depth of our being His holy fear – that we might love and know and seek our LORD all the days of our lives.

It is GOD Himself who puts His fear in our hearts. Read these verses below closely and pray that the LORD will instill His fear deep in your being.

Jeremiah 32:39-40
“And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: 
40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I WILL PUT MY FEAR IN THEIR HEARTS, that they shall not depart from me.” 

Is Fearing God Only for the Lost?

Are Christians to fear God? What does “fear” mean? What does it mean to “fear God”? What does the Bible say?

Are Christians to fear God? Is there freedom from fearing judgment? Are there benefits to walking in the fear of the LORD?

“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” Acts 9:31

Are we “walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost”?

God blessings are conditional and He will only bless, make whole, heal those who truly fear Him.

“For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.” Psalms 103:11

“The Sun of Righteousness” who is Jesus Christ, “light of the world,” arises to bless His own! (John 8:12)

“But UNTO YOU THAT FEAR MY NAME shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” Malachi 4:2
 
Notice the condition in the verse above. We must fear His holy name to receive the healing, wholeness, and blessings of Christ Our LORD. God blesses those who fear Him.
 
“He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.” Psalms 115:13
Fearing God is the only way to be “satisfied” – now and forever.
 
Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.”
 
Anyone who isn’t living in “The fear of the LORD”, is not “satisfied.” Did you catch that? Read the verse above again.
Fearing the LORD brings satisfaction and protection. Did you catch that?
David’s prayer:
“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Psalms 86:11

The case of Matthew 10: In this chapter, Jesus is exclusively speaking to His very own disciples. (are you His disciple?):

Matthew 10:24,28 “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord…And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

What could be clearer?

In Luke 12:1,4,5 the Son of God forewarned us: “…he began to say unto his disciples (not the lost) first of all…And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.”

Notice here that Jesus “forewarned” His very own “disciples” and “friends” that it was possible for them to be “killed” by the heavenly Father and “cast into hell” if they feared men more than God. Where does that leave OSAS (once saved always saved)?

MOST Christians have been weakened in their resolve via Satan’s first lie which is peddled today under the clichés of OSAS (once saved always saved or eternal security). This unconditional security heresy removes the holy fear of God from the hearts of those who allow it and lowers their guard, always leading to sin. This is EXACTLY what happened to Adam and Eve when this doctrine of devils was introduced to them (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).

“Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.” Proverbs 23:17

Let me stop here and ask you to examine whether or not you truly believe the Bible. The question is not whether or not you say you believe the Bible, but do you really believe it is God’s inspired Word and final authority? If you can at this point still deny that ALL people, whether they have been saved in the past or not, have a responsibility to live holy before God and fear Him, then it is clear that you do not believe the Bible. Or, more plainly, you are simply calling God, your Judge, a liar.

Consider what He says about being possessed by the holy fear of the LORD:

Psalms 2:11 “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”

Joshua 24:14 “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.”

“God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.” Psalms 89:7

“Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” Isaiah 8:13

Here in the following text, Romans chapter 11, Paul is talking to the Gentile Christians about their position with God and using the originally chosen Jews as an example.

“Thou (Gentile believers) wilt say (boastfully) then, The branches (Jews) were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches (the Jews), take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:19-22

What does the word “fear” mean?

What does it mean to “fear God”?

Here is Romans 11, PHOBEO is the Greek word for “fear.” According to the Strong’s Concordance, this Greek word PHOBEO means “to frighten, to be alarmed; to be in awe of, revere (+sore): afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.” YET, much more important than any Hebrew or Greek study, is simply what is conveyed through God’s Word in our own language. After reading the follow verse again, there should be no doubt at all as to what it means to “fear God.”

“Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” Isaiah 8:13

A life that is not holy unto the Lord is clear proof that we do not fear (not afraid of, not in awe of) God.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

MANY fear mere sinful men and have men above God. Repent. God is calling you to truly repent and when you do, you will cease attempting to justify and bid Godspeed to the enemies of Christ and say with Paul: “Let GOD be true and EVERY man a liar.” (Romans 3:4; 2 John 10-11)
 
“having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.” Jude 16
 
“For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” John 12:43
 
“for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
You are in need of true repentance.

Those Who Fear God Fear No Man

“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:31-34

There’s Freedom in Fearing God – No Fear of Judgment as we Abide/Serve Him

Because of the One who is the “advocate with the Father,” Jesus Christ the righteous, those in Christ have “boldness (full confidence, assurance) in the day of judgment.” (1 John 2:1-2; 4:17)

“That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75  In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. ” Luke 1:74-75

The key words in this blessed passage are “serve … holiness and righteousness.” These are the conditions for being able to serve the LORD with no fear of future judgment as far as damnation. Though we are to fear God, God’s Word also tells us that Jesus came so that we can “serve him without fear.” (Luke 1:74) How do we synthesize or assimilate this with the whole counsel of God’s Word? It’s simple: As long as we are serving the LORD, that is, abiding in Christ (John 15:1-6), then we need not fear His judgment because we are “hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:16-18

All fear is cast out of the hearts of those who dwell with the LORD in His love. We are instructed to “keep” ourselves in that love as we look for His “abundant mercy” at the soon return of Jesus Christ! (1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 4:16-18; Jude 21)

“Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” Psalms 31:19

Those who abide intimate in Christ have the full assurance of hope and joy in believing that they will see the goodness of the LORD for all eternity!

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” Job 19:25-27

ALL who truly fear God are instilling the fear of the LORD in others. The reason that lame hireling you sit under isn’t invoking the fear of God in you is because he has no fear of God himself but is rather building his own castle in the sand at your expense.

Rejoice with Trembling (audio)

Are you born again? Find out more here.

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Articles

The King’s Marriage

by Karen Cochran

Psalm 45

A Song of Loves

This morning I read Psalm 45 titled the King’s marriage—the story of the King and His bride. This is a beautiful picture of the marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19:7-9. The Bridegroom is adorned in glory, majesty, righteousness and truth and sitting in His royal throne. Then enters the Bride—holy, without spot or wrinkle—wearing the righteousness of Christ. Then Jesus (the King) says, “You are in thy Father’s house and He desires thy beauty and worship.” All because she is wearing the beauty of the Lord—His attributes (Psalm 27:4). She is wearing gold—fine gold—because she has been tried in the fire of affliction. She is one of the five wise virgins who is invited to enter into the King’s palace. What a glorious picture of all who make themselves ready and are clean and white before their King Jesus! Alleluia!

This is the story of a royal wedding. A love song!

v. 1 God has filled the Psalmist heart with a divine Messianic prophesy. Foreshadowing Christ as the ultimate King and His holy bride at the marriage supper of the Lamb!

vv. 2-6 The most significant character in this Psalm is the Lord Jesus Christ. In these verses we are introduced to the King Himself. His beauty surpasses all others. The gospel of grace is poured into His lips. And God has blessed Him forever! He fights for truth and justice, and is filled with majesty, glory, meekness, righteousness, and truth. The Scepter of the kingdom is given to Him. Jesus Christ has all authority over all (Hebrews 1:8). “The voice of God is heard from heaven addressing Him as God and certifying His reign as an eternal one. We know it is the voice of God, because Hebrews 1:8,9 tell us so.” Believer’s Bible Commentary. And God says thy throne “is for ever and ever.”

v. 7 The King of heaven loves righteousness. This is His very nature, and He hates wickedness, because they are the polar opposites. Therefore, He must rule with complete justice. God has anointed Him with the holy “oil of gladness.”

“Christ’s faithfulness to His father while on this earth, as demonstrated by His love of righteousness and hatred of wickedness, is the basis for God’s anointing of His Son. The “oil of gladness” is directly related to His anointing with the Holy Spirit.” Life in the Spirit Study Bible

v. 8 The King of Glory resides in an Ivory Palace and His garments give forth a sweet-smelling savor unto God and His bride (2 Corinthians2:14).  The Son of God in all His glory!

v 9 Now enter the bride of Christ! The queen in “gold of Ophir.” She is clothed in pure gold because she has been tried in the fire and has come forth as pure and white (Job 23:10), and holy, with no spot of sin “or wrinkle, or any such thing” (Ephesians 5:27). In order to be considered honorable, she must be clothed with the righteousness of her Bridegroom.

vv. 10-15 The Bridegroom is calling His spotless bride to listen and obey. Since He purchased her, He desires that she cleave to Him only. Loving him above all else. Her husband desires her beauty, as she has been washed from all sin by the precious blood of Christ. The beauty is coming from the Lord (Psalm 27:4). She is filled with the very character of Jesus. Her garments are radiating the sweet aroma of her Master and Savior. And is one of the five wise virgins (Matthew 25). With rejoicing and gladness, she is invited into the wedding with her Groom. Into the King’s palace! Alleluia! Her worship is a response to how much she is loved by her beloved Lord!

v. 16 For all of His beloved faithful believers, this is their spiritual inheritance. That they shall be called into the banquet with the King of glory! A divine promise for all of His children who stay clean and white. And have been adopted into His kingdom by the saving grace of Jesus.

v. 17 Let us always magnify the King. The Messiah. Who has rescued our souls from death and translated us into the kingdom of God. And may His praise be on our lips for ever and ever. Every tribe and nation standing before the throne of heaven worshipping the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS! Singing Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty!

The whole message of this Psalm teaches us that the King’s royal bride must be pure, cleansed, holy and wearing the robe of righteousness of Christ. And He must be her first love. The one she loves supremely above everyone and everything else. This is the only way she will be accounted worthy to enter into the holy kingdom! And She must bear the image of her King! Then she will be invited to enter into the palace and the Lord Jesus Himself will confess her “name before His father, and before His angels” (Revelation 3:5). Are we ready to be presented to our Bridegroom? Revelation 19:7 says “His wife has made herself ready.” We must be fully clothed in fine linen, clean and white. This is the righteousness of the saints. This is the only way we will be called into the marriage with our Bridegroom (Revelation 19:8-9)! Don’t be caught naked (unprepared) and wearing your own righteousness which is filthy rags. Remember God hates wickedness. And this will lead one to suffer judgment and shame when you stand before your Maker (Revelation 16:15). Don’t let the scepter of Christ fall on your head! Make sure you are considered before a holy God the “Gold of Ophir.” A precious jewel.

This Psalm paints such a glorious picture of how valuable we are to the God of heaven. He desires that we be in His presence. Because His royal bride is wholeheartedly devoted to her Husband, and is fully clothed in righteousness, her Groom is enthralled by her beauty! She bears His image and the beauty of holiness! The Lord has prepared a mansion for all who have made themselves ready that we may bask in His glory and beauty for ever and ever! Alleluia!

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Abiding

Humility. Surrender. Sobriety. Restoration. Vigilance. [podcast]


Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:6-10

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

“But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” Hebrews 7:24-26

May God bless you and I with this child-like disposition, heart! Please do it in us dear LORD, in Jesus’ name.

The Topic of Humility on SafeGuardYourSoul.com

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Idolatry

THE SIN, THE CURSE, AND THE FRUIT OF IDOLATRY [podcast]


“Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 26:1 

Idolatry will damn the eternal soul to hell (Exodus 20:3-7; Galatians 5:19-21, etc.). Just one idol. ANYthing that is more important to you than Jesus Christ is an idol. You must repent and receive Christ or you will perish in the flames of eternal damnation (Luke 13:3; John 1:12). If you aren’t willing to give up your religion to follow Jesus, you are a hell bound idolater who has chosen to pay for your own sins for eternity in hell.

God will not be worshipped by physical objects, idols. Jesus says:

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him MUST worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24

2 Corinthians 5:16 says “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” This verse, this divine truth has helped me out much. God forbids any attempt to worship Him through, via any images, anything physical (Exodus 20:3-7). According to this Bible verse, we do not even know Jesus after the flesh.

Jesus stated the divine essential, the non-negotiable imperative that “they that worship him MUST worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).

17 Soul Damning Sins

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 IDOLATRY, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” James 3:14-16

IDOL’ATRYnoun [Latin idololatria. Gr. idol, and to worship or serve.]

1. The worship of idols, images, or any thing made by hands, or which is not God.

Idolatry is of two kinds; the worship of images, statues, pictures, etc. made by hands; and the worship of the heavenly bodies, the sun, moon and stars, or of demons, angels, men and animals.

2. Excessive attachment or veneration for any thing, or that which borders on adoration.

from Websters1828

Anything you refuse to give up for Jesus is your idol.

Any person who will not give up their religion to follow Jesus is a hell bound antichrist idolater.

The Stark Contrast between True and False Worship

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

Whatever you won’t give up for Jesus is a soul damning idol (Mark 9:43-49).

The reason so many don’t take sin seriously and sit under sin-justifying wolves in sheep’s clothing, is because they do not fear nor take God seriously. Then they attack the true messengers of Christ who are declaring that God is holy and He requires non-negotiably that anyone who will know and be with Him eternally cut off occasion for all sin as Jesus commanded in Mark 9:43-49 KJB. They talk about grace but only in the respect that their sins were initially forgiven, yet never in respect to divine grace being the divine influence and enablement in their daily lives to overcome all that displeases Him, as they worshipfully with great gratitude deny self, take up the cross and follow, abide in Jesus (Titus 2:11-14; Luke 9:23-24; John 15:1-6, etc.).

The cross message of Christ and His holy apostles is not a novel concept, idea, or mere suggestion but rather it is a non-negotiable essential component of the original Gospel.

Recently, I ran across a comment by a person who wrote: “A cross (or crucifix, picture, statute, etc.) is not idolatry so long as it leads the person to worship God, and not the object itself.”

Is this true? No. This is pure human reasoning and a denial of the Word of God. As you can tell, this person commenting was most likely catholic. Speaking of the catholic church, they removed the second commandment because it was costing them money. The 2nd commandment says:

“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6

God is not and will not be worshipped through images. In fact only Satan receives worship when images are used (Exodus chapter 20;  1 Corinthians 10:19-21). Satan is the entity who received worship when someone does that which God forbids….

Committing the sin of Idolatry yokes you with devils.

“They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.” Deuteronomy 32:17

Making Peace with God

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