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.
Yours, mine, he, she, they and all of us record is on high, in heaven – good or bad. Job 16:19.
Everyone of us have a record book kept up in heaven for our everyday’s ways and works on earth from the year of accountability unto death when we shall appear before the judgement seat of Christ or before the white throne of God.
It is from the book of remembrance shall each be justified or condemned according to what is written in the book. Good or bad works shall be brought into remembrance and shall not go unrewarded. There shall be no forgotten or wasted labour of love in Christ Jesus (Hebrews 6:10) nor shall God forget to reward the man who brings wicked devises to pass: let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. Proverbs 23:17-19.
There is a day of judgement set aside by God to judge everyone's hidden thoughts and actions, good or bad based on the scale and balance of the gospel light they received on what they do with it and the lifestyle in comformity to the gospel or not. Romans 2:16. Philippians 1:27.
Not having their own righteousness (Philippians 3:9), but those who are found in the righteousness of God without the law manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets shall be saved; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believed, being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:22-27.
The righteousness of God is a gift not earned by any of the good works on human’s part but through the process of regeneration in Christ Jesus whom God as made unto us righteousness. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.
Only the good works done in Christ Jesus shall be rewarded (Ephesians 2:10) while other good works without Christ are considered to be like filthy rags before God. Isaiah 64:6.
It is practically impossible to keep God’s word and commandments without the help of the spirit of God enabling and empowering you to put to death the works of the flesh that you might live: but if anyman have not the spirit of God, they are none of his! Romans 8:9 & verses 13.
Without Christ, there is no salvation in your life. Without Christ, there is no understanding whatsoever of the fear of God. Without being born again of the water and of the spirit, you are very far away from understanding to benefits from what’s been written here: and there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:1-3.
It is useless to receive the spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel and might, having the spirit of knowledge without the spirit of the fear of God in readiness to apply it in everything relating to God and man. You are doom for hell throughout all eternity if such is not the case in your life. The application of your wisdom must be in the fear of God. The application of your understanding should be in the fear of God. The application of your counsel and might must be done in the fear of God. The application of your knowledge must be in the fear of God. Behold, the fear of the Lord God, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. Job 28:28.
Daily encounters with other people and how we interact with them, - our daily activities and lifestyle are seeds we’re sowing with conscious anticipation of its ripeness, harvest and consumation. Some fruits are to be harvested here and others at death for all eternity: behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. Proverbs 11:31.
At the end of time, two things shall God put into consideration before your admission into his eternal abode, namely, his holy fear leading up to, and motivating your obedient and submission to his word: a son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, wherein have we despised thy name? Malachi 6:1.
Are you not warned and encouraged to pass the time of your sojourning here in the fear of God as you know that you are calling and serving the Father who judges impartially according to each person's work? 1 Peter 1:7. Note: those showing reverence for God by living faithfully to his word and living in the defense of his truth should not fear the contradiction of sinners or reprisal from anyone but should sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread (Isaiah 8:13): hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. Isaiah 66:5.
Daniel was not afraid of the king’s commandment to stop everyone to pray or ask anything from anyone within thirty days except from the king. He kept praying as usual unto God with readiness to face the musick of his reverence to God above man, and God delivered him. Likewise were Shadrack, Messach and Abedenego not afraid to respond the king that they would not bow down to his golden image because of their reverence for God and his word, willing and ready to pay the price of obedience to the word and will of God and were delivered - thou shall not have any other god before me. 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. 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; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:4-6.
Isreal transgressed and they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger. Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left, but the Lord sent them into captivity out of their own land into Assyria. And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof. And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the Lord: therefore the Lord sent lions among them, which slew some of them. Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, the nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land. Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land. Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the Lord. 2 Kings 17: 1 -28.
Here is the question, how or from where can we received the spirit of the fear of God without the saving grace for the knowledge of his way?
It is the saving grace that teaches us the knowledge of his ways and of the fear of God: for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-14.
There are differences of categories and characteristic of grace. Different graces working for different things for the common good of everyone in the church. 1 Peter 4:10.
Some believers received grace more than others, for unto whomsover much is given, much shall be required of him. 1 Corinthians 15:10. Luke 12:48.
Not everyone is a teacher because they are not given the grace to teach, but many people are teaching what they don't even understand in the church today. Not everyone received the grace to prophesy as almost everyone seems to be in the prophetic in this last days. Not everyone received the grace of administration in the church as everyone wants to control everything going on in the church today: having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching: or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:6-8.
Nonetheless, there is a super essential grace, recommended and necessitated by the spirit of God for everyone to obtain. It is a grace you must sincerely sought after, earnestly implore before you can receive it.
It is a grace which is not given, except you are willing to ask and have it for yourself in your walk with God, to live for him in order that you might serve him in a way or manners acceptably to him, not in your own ways or thoughts, not in any false or popular beliefs or present worldly practices trending in the world and brought into the church as seen in the lives of many in the church today.
One thing is to have the knowledge of the ways of God but another thing is to have the fear or reverence for God, walking in the fear of God while obeying or teaching his way in his fear – holy reverence.
This reverence for God is to santify him in your ways and doings before others. This is what Aposle Paul declares to the church at Thessalonians, - you are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 1 Thessalonians 2:10. Note: if we failed to relate with others in the consciousness of reverence for God, we stand the risk to be made a scape goat from God for others to learn how to hallow his name as Annanias and Saphira his wife were destroyed by him.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: Psalms 19:9.
In another place, the Apostle asked the Corinthians church, did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. 2 Corinthians 12:17-19.
There shall not be heard of any scandalous or evil report from the brethren or the church in general if everyone is calling on the name of the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22.
And moreover, I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. God shall judge the righteous as well as the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. Ecclesiastes 3:16-17.
Sometimes, you heard of the evilness and wickedness of some great religious leaders or some believers in God like David was a man after the heart of God but coveted his neighbour’s wife and killed the husband to cover up his sin, you’ll wonder if they trully known the God they represents.
Someone should have thought that David had seen and learnt a lot to fear God when he witnessed first hand on how God instantly smote Uzzah to death when he overstepped his bondary in ministry to perform other’s ministry. Uzzah thought no one called into that office was available at that instance to prevent the ark from falling in his zeal without knowledge: and when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. And David was afraid of the Lord that day. 2 Samuel 6:6-9. Note: it is folly and foolish to ignore the mistakes of others and the consequences of their errors to fall into the same transgression: a wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels. Proverbs 1:5.
In everything, David had the testimony that he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and had not turned aside from anything the Lord commanded all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. 1 Kings 15:5.
Had David grown in the love, knowledge and reverential fear of God like Joseph did before Portiphar’s wife, he would avoid Bethsheba and would not seek to kill the husband to cover up his sin, but God punished him severely and curse him for his wickedness. 2 Samuel 12:10.
Whoever despises [God's] words will pay the penalty, but the one who fears [God's] commands will be rewarded. Proverbs 13:13.
Those who are living in the fear of God will abhor evil and will not despise his word. They will not add or remove from God’s word (Proverbs 30:5-6), but will tremble at it (Isaiah 66:2), rejoices at every word of God as one who finds great hidden precious treasure. Psalms 119:162.
God will judge the ungodly and the just, but you should know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself ( Psalms 4:3), and he knows how to deliver them out of temptations and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. 2 Peter 2:9 .
Those who obeys the commands of God will not experience harm or misfortune which happens to those who break the wall that serpent should bite them: he that keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing. In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Ecclesiastes 8:5. Proverbs 14:26-27.
This essential reverence for God overrides every fear of evil – happy is he that fears always, but he that hardnes his heart (to sin) shall fall into mischief - problem. Proverbs 24:18. Note: the knowledge and service or works for God without godly fear is worthless. Those who thinks they know God and have the knowledge of his way should ask for grace to live and serve in the fear of God, that they might serve him acceptably with reverence and godly fear, lest they should fall into the hands of a fearful and living God like the house of Eli experinced God’s wrath for their services in the temple without godly reverence – our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 13:28-29.
Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry? Psalms 76:7.
Misrepresentation of God in any form or manner is a gross, disgraceful and costly sin.
Moses learnt this in a very hard way when his life span and ministry was cut short because he failed to sanctify and reverence God’s presence before the children of Israel to do exactly as he was commanded, not to act beyond what he was asked to do.
Familiarity with God exempt no one from serving him with reverence and godly fear, otherwise, they shall find him in a state that they would not like.
Church leaders, workers and believers should set the example before the world of what it means to fear God and to stop acting and living as servants without accountability with immunity from divine retribution and justice of their evil works: hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us. Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest. Micah 3:9-12.