The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” Proverbs 1:7
The few times this verse is preached on the preacher often expounds on it by saying it is a
“reverential” fear. But what does that mean? Most people just see that as respect. And then they go on focusing on the fun stuff, the Lord as love, and His desire to give us goodthings. And He is love, and He often does give us good things. But love is not always rainbows and kittens. Love, true love, does not condone evil, does not allow the loved one to do something that can harm them. It is not loving to let your kid put a knife in a wall socket and it is not loving, as a Heavenly Father, to wink and turn the other way on sin. Sin hurts people, other people and the one sinning and God hates sin and He loves us. Can the Lord discipline us out of love? Can that be backed by Scripture?
Proverbs 3:12, “For whom the Lord loves, He corrects. Just as the father, the son in whom he delights,” God delights in you…as such, He may correct you. You may say, that is the Old Testament God, New Testament God is all love and sunshine and kittens. That statement is false as the Bible says He is the same yesterday, today , and forever (Hebrews 13:8). But what about the New Testament-does it confirm the same thing? Check out Hebrews…
Hebrews 12:6, “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” To scourge, that is what they did to Jesus-beating with a whip. You don’t hear that preached much today. God is more a cosmic Santa Clause, love and blessings. But real love does discipline sometimes.
Do you have a consistent sin? Something you repeat often, something you know you shouldn’t do but occasionally do anyway? Then you say a quick prayer of repentance, wink at God, and move on? Do you think God, who HATES sin, is winking back? Saying, hey buddy, no problem, go watch your porn. I will look the other way? That is NOT the God of the Bible. He HATES sin. A strong word. He hated sin so much, He sent His Son to pay the penalty. His own Son, scourged. Will He forgive you when you ask for forgiveness? Yes, the Bible says so…every time. But do not be deceived and think He condones it. And there may be a day when discipline comes.
Maybe, when the fear of the Lord becomes greater than whatever it is you are getting from that consistent sin, maybe that is the day the sin finally stops. And freedom, real freedom, becomes yours. He freed us from the punishment of sin, but that doesn’t mean you are magically perfect. The Holy Spirit will work in you and work on cleaning you up. And discipline may be needed. So heed the Lord today. If He tells you to do something, do it. If He convicts you to stop sinning, stop. Just obey. And in so doing, you will find a freedom you have never known.
Have a blessed day!
Pastor Brian
| P.S. The purpose of the Great Awareness Church is to get Christians ready for Jesus’s coming. We preach Scripture and challenge our congregation to grow that relationship with Jesus. Join us won’t you? It is a real “coffee house” type feel. Please join us this Sunday at 10:30…we will have coffee and donuts for you! Get to know each other better as we walk through this thing called life. 900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville. Or Stream it live on our YouTube channel @TheGreatAwarenessChurch . See you then!!!!! P.P.S. My book, “The Last Instructions of Jesus (Before He Comes Again),” is a deep dive into Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus’ last words and it is a game-changing book. You can click on this link to order or go online to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. Click the link below and get yours today! https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/867418-the-last-instructions-of-jesus |
| “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV) |