The third reason for fearing God

3..      His abundant grace

The third reason for fearing God it is because of His abundant grace which is described as His unmerited favors, mercy and compassion which He imputes on humanity without their participation and input. for “God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace we have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace we have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:4-9).

When we consider the fact that, everything that we have is a gift from God, for; to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift: Therefore, who we are is not of ourselves as alluded to by the apostle Paul who wrote; “For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? (Ephesians 4:7; 1Corinthians 4:7).

Therefore, since our salvation is all by the grace of God this should stimulate the rightful fear, respect and appreciation of God in us and should be cautious in heeding to the apostle Paul’s admonition which states; “Therefore, my beloved, as you 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; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13).

So, since all that we are and everything that we have is a gift from God and we will have to give an account to God on how we use and develop it ought to stimulate the rightful fear of God in us. But how do we demonstrate the rightful fear of God in appreciation of His Grace?

Well, the rightful fear of God in appreciation of His grace is demonstrated by honoring Him for who He is as duly instructed saying; “A son honors his father and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, 'In what way have we despised Your name?' The Lord further said; “For I am a great King," Says the LORD of hosts, "And My name is to be feared among the nations” (Malachi 1:6, 14).

It is by observing the Lord’s Sabbaths which were ordained specifically to offer to the Lord the food for His offerings that the rightful fear of the Lord demonstrated, for thus says the Lord; “'You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD.” For it is as often or whenever one eats of this bread and drink this cup, that the purpose or the objective for the Lord's death is proclaimed until He comes (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2; 1 Corinthians 11:26).

It is by worshiping the Lord in spirt and in truth that one demonstrates his/her fear, love, reverence and appreciation of the Lord for Who He is and for what He has done and is still doing for humanity.

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With brotherly love

Lucius joseph