Skip to main content

The Fear of the Lord

            The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)

          I keep repeating this sort of thing because I think it’s vital. A lord is whatever directs, guides, or controls our lives, our thoughts, and our beliefs. Fear of that lord, whether warranted or not, includes recognizing that there is a price we must pay for committing treason against that lord. If the price is too low, there will be no fear and really no lord. That way lies chaos and disaster. If the price is too high, ultimately, the lord in question must either find a way for someone other than the people to pay the price (which is what Jesus did) or destroy everyone who commits treason (which means everyone.)

          Now, a good lord must provide direction, guidance, control, and consequences in our lives and we must acknowledge them in our lives, even if our acknowledgement is negative. We may not like them, but having defined limits is good for us. Imagine what life would be like if anything were possible except consistency.

          It’s unlikely that any of us can function for long without someone or something assuming the role of our lord. It is wise, therefore, to choose the best possible person or thing, which means that it is the person or thing that most clearly works within the boundaries of reality. After all, wisdom involves dealing with reality. One challenge in doing this is avoiding the tendency to believe that what we want to be true is real. This is the reason I reject most religions, because they are based on the strange notion that we can earn our way to Heaven. The Bible shows us something more real. We can’t. Only God can. Learning to do things His way, which is respecting or “fearing” Him, brings us to what’s real.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more