March 1
Lev 24:1-25:46 | PS 44:9-26 | Prov 10:20-21 | Mark 10:13-31
We read in Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge". Many misinterpret what it means to "fear God". For the unbeliever it is right to be afraid of God for He holds the keys to eternity, and the judgment for unbelief will be eternal separation from God in hell. But for the believer this "fear of the Lord" is something completely different. The fear of God is a reverence for Him which leads us to respect and obey Him and worship Him in awe. It is knowing that we are never alone. What is done in the dark and alone is not done in isolation but is clearly seen by our all-knowing and all-present God. The fear of the Lord stems from being in a relationship with Him, getting to know Him through the words of Scripture, and not wanting to disappoint Him knowing His holiness. We read in Hebrews 12:28-29, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire." As we continue through the book of Leviticus, we need to recognize this principle of fearing God as we read in Leviticus 25:17, "Show your fear of God by not taking advantage of each other. I am the Lord your God." And again in 25:43, "Show your fear of God by not treating them harshly."
Many read the interaction between Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler in Mark 10:17-27 and mistakenly consider it a criticism on wealth. Notice that when the young man asked what was necessary to inherit eternal life, Jesus began by pointing first to the last six of the Ten Commandments which are the horizontal commandments or those commandments which have to do with how man deals with man (murder, adultery, stealing, testifying falsely, cheating, honoring one's parents). The man stated he had obeyed all of these (realize none of us really do, especially as Jesus adds depth to some of these commandments in Matthew 5). Jesus then states in Mark 10:21, "Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” To which we see the young man's response in 10:22, "At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions." The young man could not yield to the first commandment which is to have no other gods but God, Himself. This man's riches was his god, was his idol. By his walking away it revealed that he might have lived a fairly moral life but he didn't have a fear of God.
If this seems difficult, we must continue with the interaction as we pick up the conversation between Jesus and His disciples in Mark 10:26-27, after Jesus explained how difficult it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God, "The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” We need to remember Ephesians 2:8-9, "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." Our faith journey is based on who God is and what He has done for us and the relationship which evolves. It is not based on our actions but on relationship. When we believe and place our trust in God, we fear Him and hold Him in awe. Whether one is in the Old Testament or New Testament those who believe need to understand that we who are in relationship move forward in holy fear, separated unto Him, acknowledging Him, revering Him and worshipping Him.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: