Good morning and welcome in everyone. Today we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture from Romans 3, but before we do that I wanted you to think about something.
Many people will purchase a motorcycle this season to ride around in the warm summer months. Some of them do it to simply go for a leisurely ride through the beautiful northern Minnesota woods, but there are others who purchase a motorcycle simply because they love to go fast. There are numerous street legal motorcycles that can achieve speeds over 150 mph. Many people will purchase these machines and find a quiet highway somewhere and open them up because they love the acceleration and high speeds that these bikes produce. Why do they do these things? Because they really don’t have any fear of the consequences of getting major road rash by hitting the pavement at that speed, or hitting an animal, or even running headlong into oncoming traffic. Being fearful of getting hurt would prevent them from engaging in these kinds of activities.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
There are numerous people who really don’t have any fear of God. They have no fear that there will be punishments and retribution for the lives that they are currently living in rebellion against Him. They are unconcerned about punishment or consequences for the impenitent and sinful lives that they are currently engaging in. They don’t feel that repercussions will happen for the wrong things that they do, so they don’t bother to come into compliance with biblical truth. Godly fear would cause them to do this.
Romans 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
For an example, look at the life of Pharaoh. He really did not fear God. On numerous occasions he was commanded to release the Hebrews in the Lord’s name but he refused to hearken to the commands of the Lord.
Exodus 10:3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.
Because he refused to hearken to the commands of the Lord, God chose to punish him for his rebellion. There are numerous things that God did to him and his countryman because of his behavior. He eventually lost his army when they were swallowed up in the Red Sea. God can take people anytime he chooses. I’m sure that Pharaoh’s army didn’t wake up that morning realizing what was going to happen to them later that day. Noah feared and respected God. He knew that God was going to punish the Earth and eventually the world was swallowed up in a flood. Just like Pharaoh’s army, that day came upon them unawares.
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house;
God certainly punishes people here upon this Earth. God is not mocked, and whatever you sow is what you are going to reap.
Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Circumspect is being very careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences for the things that you do. To ignore or reject the teachings of Jesus Christ shows that someone does not possess this quality.
It’s certainly true that God loves and cares for this world, but salvation is about loving and caring for God in return. We show our love towards Him by doing His will and following the teachings of His Son. God doesn’t want people to perish; He wants them to come to a place of repentance. He wants people to turn from sinfulness and return to Him so that we can obey Him perfectly. Got extends to us the olive branch of mercy so that we can get forgiven and get back on the narrow path. But those who have no desire to do the will of God are going to miss out on eternity because they really don’t love God in their heart. We play a part in our salvation and the absence of reverence and Godly fear will result in a heart that is disinclined to obey.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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.
The Apostle Paul taught Timothy to continue in the doctrine as he had been taught because he could save himself. Those who won’t continue in the doctrine and become faithful will miss out on eternal rest in paradise, because they will come up short.
Hebrews 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
To truly love Jesus is to lovingly serve and obey him.
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Just as a Christian wife is commanded by Christ to place herself in subjection to the authority of her husband, each of us are called to be in subjection to our place of authority.
Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
The church is called to fear God.
Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
1 Peter 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Romans 11:20. Be not highminded, but fear:
God will punish those who fight against biblical truth.
Romans 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Jesus taught His disciples to fear God.
Matthew 10:28 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.
It is a fear of God and the punishments that will come to pass that causes a person to become obedient and reject sin.
Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
The impenitent will be inflicted by God.
Psalms 55:19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
God extends pity and mercy to those who fear Him.
Psalms 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Psalms 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
The Lord Jesus takes notice of those who fear Him.
Psalms 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
Psalms 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
The fear of God is the very beginning of Spiritual knowledge.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
To those who don’t fear God I guarantee you, that they will wish they had in the future. If they abide in a state of impenitence, they will end up being afflicted by God and eventually end up with eternal……..
…….. Road Rash.
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️
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