Do you fear God?

Acts 4:36-5:11

Do you have any fear of God?  I’m not referring to awe or reverence, but being afraid of what God might do because of your actions or the action of someone else?  The Church would be wise to listen to the prophet Jeremiah, “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not.  Do you not fear me? Declares the Lord; do you not tremble before me?”  Folks, that was God asking the question, and He was not asking if you had awe or reverence, the word in both the Hebrew and the Greek is fear. 

Now, it does not come as a surprise that many of us have been instructed not to fear God, that fear does not mean fear but reverence, to my shame I’ve said such things.  But listen to the prophet Isaiah, “For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. (Isaiah 8:11-13 ESV)  Could it be we have no understanding of words like dread?  The word dread is defined as: “a feeling of great fear or terror, especially at the thought of experiencing or encountering something unpleasant.”

So that brings us back to the account of two people in the early church that had no fear of God, much like the church today.  Joseph, whom the apostles called Barnabas, because he was always encouraging others in the church, was also a Levite, and a native of Cyprus, sold some land and brought the money to the apostles, so that the needs of others might be met.  We do not know what motivated this couple, the Scriptures are silent on that, but we do know that Ananias and Sapphira also sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds.  It was his to do with as he wished, but listen to what happened, “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.” (Acts 5:3-5 ESV) 

Now, it was about three hours later and in comes Sapphira and she has no clue what has taken place with hubby.  And this is what Peter ask of her; “And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.  (Acts 5:8-11 ESV) 

This writer is both fearful and in awe of God.  For He has spoken, and He cannot lie, and we as a people and a nation have said, Your ways are not our ways, and Your thoughts are not our thoughts, and if we need you God, we will let you know.  As a nation we have told Him to stay out of our affairs, and we have no fear of falling into the hands of an angry God.  I believe God had the United State of America and the nations of Europe who looked to God at one time, have now turned to a foolish belief in man’s ability to solve what only God can do.  This is our notice, it is written, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” (Romans 1:18-23 ESV)

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice