Is it persecution? It should not be. Over the centuries, Christians have stood firm and even thrived in the face of persecution. Throughout history, true reformation has often grown much faster under persecution than under freedom. Yet fear of persecution virtually paralyzes many today, so that too often we are afraid to speak up for our Lord because we are afraid of possible consequences. Like Peter in Pilate’s judgment hall, we succumb to the pressure of the crowd, trusting in our own devices and disguises for supposed safety. That is why God warns: “Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread” (Isaiah 8:12, 13, emphasis added).

Of what else do we tend to be afraid? In the preceding article in this issue of the Reformation Herald, we read about the everlasting gospel. That message involves a great commission that needs to go to the whole world. What is hindering us from focusing more wholeheartedly on this vital task at hand? Is it the economic struggle just to survive—being burdened with the cares of this life? Christ warns: “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares” (Luke 21:33, 34). This fear of hardship and even poverty is paralyzing many.

Persecution and hardship are not the things we are to fear. We are told in Revelation 14:7 to “fear God”!

Jesus wipes out all our self-justification about both the fear of persecution and the fear of poverty by stating plainly: “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:35).

“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. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:28–33).

Thus we will now decide to fear God instead of people or circumstances. We repeat to ourselves the pledge of the psalmist: “In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. . . . “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me” (Psalm 56:4, 11).

Does this mean we are to tremble and shake in our boots, living a life petrified by the notion of a wrathful, vengeful God? Doesn’t Scripture clearly teach the following concepts—“Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (Romans 8:15; 2 Timothy 1:7)? How can we then reconcile these seemingly contrasting ideas? To fear and how to fear, that is the question.

The Greek word phobeomai translated as “fear” in Revelation 14:7 can mean to have fear or anxiety; to be scared or even terrified of someone or something. Yet the same word is also used to indicate reverence, awe, and loving respect; to hold in honor. This will result in rightdoing.

The fear of God is actually the first step in acknowledging His omnipresence. When we are keenly aware that the Lord sees and hears all that we do, our actions will be affected by that realization in some way. It can bolster us with needed courage:

“Only the sense of God’s presence can banish the fear that, for the timid child, would make life a burden. Let him fix in his memory the promise, ‘The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them’ (Psalm 34:7).”1 Courage is good. On the other hand, some of us may have courage but actually need to be less presumptuous in our boldness. In such cases, a consciousness of the presence of God will have a different effect. It will subdue and humble our proud tendencies.

Whatever may be the state of our individual case, to all of us the psalmist explains: “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:11–18).

Here we see some positive results that spring from a living fear of the Lord. We also see wonderful promises that help us keep our various trials in perspective. The psalmist bids us have a broken, contrite heart. Such a soul will not be casual, coarse, or lackadaisical. Quite the contrary—a thoughtful sobriety characterizes the spirit of contrition.

To have a healthy realization of God’s presence is to be aware that even though our Lord loves us with everlasting, enduring love greater than that of a mother for her child, He is not simply a bundle of comfort and cuddles. To sin in all of its forms, our God is also as a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). The fire that will burn up sin in the end will consume all who cling to its corruption. “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is” (1 Corinthians 3:13). Here we see the perfect blending of justice and mercy, more firmly grasped as we cultivate a healthy fear of God.

A true understanding of how God’s presence is to affect us is shown in an example in the book of Genesis. When faced with temptation, the tenor of Joseph’s state of mind is revealed in his words, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). Besides Joseph and the temptress, no one was present when the temptation was offered. They were alone—away from the sight or earshot of any other people. Yet Joseph knew very well that they were not really alone. The Spirit of the living God was right there. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). Joseph loved his Lord too much to be dragged into any immoral enticement. His demeanor was like that of the psalmist who said, “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” (Psalm 16:8).

The notable reformer Nehemiah explains how his acknowledgement of God’s presence influenced the way he behaved on his job: “Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God” (Nehemiah 5:14, 15).

“Every soul is to gird himself for the spiritual conflict before us. The world’s plans, the world’s customs, the world’s conniving, are not for us. We are to say, ‘So did not I, because of the fear of God.’ Selfishness, dishonesty, craftiness, are trying to intrude into hearts. Let us not give them room.

“Nehemiah kept his eye single to the glory of God. . . . By the stability of his course of action he gave evidence that he was a brave Christian. His conscience was cleansed, refined, and ennobled by obedience to God. He refused to depart from Christian principles.

“Upon all who believe in Christ is laid the obligation of walking worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called, to reveal the character of Christ. The cross will honor every Christian who honors it.”2 This is the fear of God.

How important is this fear? Does it really matter that much? Inspiration answers: “Christian parents, will you not for Christ’s sake examine your desires, your aims for your children, and see if they will bear the test of God’s law? The most essential education is that which will teach them the love and the fear of God.”3

Besides providing our families with the most essential aspect of education, the fear of God will promote kindness in the home circle. Sometimes we are too lax at home—and because the outside world cannot see us, we fail to appreciate our family members and treat them properly. But we must keep in mind that God is watching us at home every bit as much as when we are out. This is why David pledged: “I will walk within my house with a perfect heart” (Psalm 101:2). Whatever the setting, Christians are directed to be “giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:20, 21).

The fear of God is important in every association of life. “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:22–24).

What happens when we abandon our fear of God? We end up on very dangerous ground: “When men cast off the fear of God they are not long in departing from honor and integrity.”4

“Every act of life is important. It is strengthening habit and forming character. If all the daily duties are performed in the fear of God, they will be done with fidelity, and the life record will be such as can pass the test of the Judgment.”5

The fear of God may be thought of as having its parallel in the concept of justification—the first response of receiving imputed righteousness given to the Christian as a title to heaven. We may be touched by this fear—but we still need a fitness for heaven. Where does that come into the picture? By continuing on to glorify God in daily life. Christ declares: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31, 32, emphasis added).

The consistent rendering of glory to God is sanctification, whereby “ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel” (Colossians 1:23). This is the righteousness of Christ imparted as our fitness for heaven. In order to appropriate God’s character into our practical life, we must always be keeping before our mind’s eye all that comprises that beautifully balanced character. When Moses asked to see the glory of God, the divine traits of character were unveiled to him: “The Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation” (Exodus 34:6, 7). Such a perfect blend of justice and mercy! We also see more about His character in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–17), in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23), in the record of Jesus’ life on earth, in the epistles given for our instruction, and so forth. These and other inspired testimonies can only be kept in the forefront of our minds by studying and meditating on the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy day by day.

Then as we “walk in love” (Ephesians 5:2), reflecting God’s mercy—coupled with a life of principle “by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4), reflecting His justice—we give glory to Him. In order for this perfect balance to be manifested in us, our personal, selfish, egotistical glory needs to be laid in the dust. It means that our glory—character—is totally given over to Him. Only then can we accept His Omnipotence to give us power to obey.

The moon—which has no light of its own—reflects the sun, a mighty source of energy. Likewise, our individual character—which has no light on its own—is to reflect the character of Christ, the Sun of righteousness and Source of our strength. Hence as we fear God, the assurance comes: “Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings” (Malachi 4:2). There will be a radiating of light from the glory of God as His character becomes enshrined in our heart.

“True character is not shaped from without, and put on; it radiates from within. If we wish to direct others in the path of righteousness, the principles of righteousness must be enshrined in our own hearts. Our profession of faith may proclaim the theory of religion, but it is our practical piety that holds forth the word of truth. The consistent life, the holy conversation, the unswerving integrity, the active, benevolent spirit, the godly example—these are the mediums through which light is conveyed to the world.”6

This light can only shine to the world when we stop blocking it. We need to be able to declare with the apostle: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Self is a big blockade. Only by a full surrender to Christ can it melt away into humility under the powerful, brilliant rays streaming from the mighty cross of Calvary. Only then can we reflect the true glory of heaven.

“The light of the glory of God will reveal all the hidden evil and bring the soul to the place of humble confession. As the increasing glory of Christ is revealed, the human agent will see no glory in himself; for the concealed deformity of his soul is laid bare, and self-esteem and self-glorying are extinguished. Self dies, and Christ lives.”7

“What is justification by faith? It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself. When men see their own nothingness, they are prepared to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. . . .

“The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, is a precious thought. The enemy of God and man is not willing that this truth should be clearly presented; for he knows that if the people receive it fully, his power will be broken.”8 Thus the darkness of this old world will be dispelled, and the light of heaven will be glorious. And through the power of Christ, the redeemed of God will ultimately experience glorification. What a wondrous hope is before us!

The message of the first angel has begun. What is the urgent call for us today? The gospel commission must be carried to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people in a loud voice. And where does it start? In view of the precious promises of God our Father and His Son Jesus Christ, “dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” “Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel” (2 Corinthians 7:1, emphasis added; Psalm 22:23, emphasis added).