I have been studying the word “fear” for a few weeks now and in doing so have defined it more as a respect and adoration for God than the idea of being afraid of God. I would not be in full understanding of the word without also understanding the idea of being afraid as well. In Acts 9 fear is defined in my ESV Bible commentary as “godly awe, reverence, and devotion; or fear of God’s displeasure and fatherly discipline”.
Displeasure and discipline is certainly something that I have to take into account as I do the work of God. I have to remember that I am not doing His for my own pleasure, but for His and to glorify Him in all. The other part is as I do His will, I also avoid the discipline that comes with not obeying Him.
“12Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)
Paul, speaking to the Philippians, reminds them that they are to be doing the work of God, not for their own pleasure, but for God’s. And they should be taking charge of the work that they do, not because Paul told them to, but through the desire to please God and avoid His displeasure and discipline.
We should want to do the will of God, and not be “forced”. God wants our willing participation. However, when necessary, He will take action as a father to His children to bring us back in line. The discipline He provides is in response to the lack of discipline we display in do His work. I know that as a father myself I do my best to have the “punishment fit the crime” when it comes to disciplining our boys for things they have missed. And God will do the same.
What we have to remember is that when it comes to God, all sin is still sin and it is up to us to recognize our sin and repent. This does not absolve us of the sin, for it is something that has occurred, but it does affirm to God that we know and will do our best to not let it happen again. And to go along with the repentance, we also commit to continue working for God and our salvation with fear and trembling as I have noted above from the commentary in Act 9.
When you are out there, how are you approaching the world and your actions? Are you just doing as you please to satisfy your own selfish desires? What if you were to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”?
Trevor's Thoughts 