Where is it that we get our knowledge, and especially that of good and evil?

“⁹And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” – Genesis 2:9 (ESV)

God created all, even the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve had it really good as they lived and worked the garden. They had all they needed and everything was good and all they did was good and in the glory of God. There was no evil per se as they lived. They knew God and did all for Him and carried out His tasks for them. Until, that fateful day of going against the one rule God had been very explicit about; no eating from that tree. Once the tree was eaten from Adam and Eve knew right from wrong, good from evil, and so began the cover up.

A newborn child knows no evil, only the good and love that comes. The child learns through experiences and whereas they are responsible for their actions as being good, evil, right, or wrong, they also are given some latitude as they are ignorant to the validity of their actions. The unfortunate thing is that the child, unlike Adam and Eve, learns good and evil through those experiences. Thanks to Adam and Eve, we now know what is right and what is wrong.

It is my duty to take what I know about good, evil, right, and wrong and work toward the good and right. Since I know, I am accountable and responsible. I am not given latitude based on ignorance. I am now responsible to work daily, every hour, minute, and second to do the will of God and be good and right.

Since I am man, hard as I try, I will not always be good and right. Even though I may not be conscious of all of my actions and missteps, I will make mistakes. This is where the knowledge of good and evil come into play. It is my duty, since I know, to repent for where I have failed. I may not know of my specific failures, but I have and for that I have to repent. This is not a once a year or when I think of it type of repentance. I know of evil and wrong, know that I have in some way acted that way and for that I must not let it fester with God and repent daily for my transgressions.

God only wants good from me, but He also knows that I am man and therefore has made the provision for my redemption. I know of good and evil, right and wrong and thanks to God’s gift of salvation, I am redeemed.

When you look at your actions today, are you always aware of all of them and their impact to others? Are you conscious of your knowledge of good and evil? What if you were to approach the day armed with that knowledge and did all you could to remain good and right, and then at the end of the day, repented for those area where you missed the mark?

I have been set apart by God for His Glory. He knew me from even as I began to form in my mothers womb. He brought me together to be who I am.

“¹³For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. ¹⁵My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. ¹⁶Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” – Psalm 139:13-16 (ESV)

I can see here the care at which God created me. I was not just born into this world. I was put together carefully and fully to be a child of God. I was “wonderfully made”, which in my ESV Bible as a footnote means that I was “fearfully set apart”. The commentary in my ESV Bible indicates that to mean “God setting his people apart or making a distinction between them and those who are not his people”. I was, even as I was being formed, set apart as one of God’s chosen.

In my study of the word “fear” I have referenced that fear to really be respect and adoration. When I place that in the place of the word “fearfully” here in this passage, I get that I was created and set apart, respected and adored by God. I have to admit that as I was typing that last sentence a wellspring of emotion came over me. I was adored and respected even before I was “in” this world. God, as He created and molded me, loved me.

I do not claim to be a theologian or a great man of religious knowledge, but what I do claim is to be a child of God. One that respects and adores Him as He respects and adores me back.

What are your thought on your make up? Are you aware that you were made and created to be God’s? What if you were to accept and really believe that you were fearfully set apart out of respect and adoration by God?

We are not to be fearful of what is to come, but to be faithful instead.

“¹⁰Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” – Revelation 2:10 (ESV)

John is very straight forward here with the church at Smyrna. He lets them know in no uncertain terms that they are about to suffer for their faithfulness to Christ. They will even be put to death in martyrdom for their beliefs. And then, he gives them the jewel of reward that is to come in the form of the “crown of life” from Christ for their faith and dedication to Him.

“¹¹He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.” – Revelation 2:11 (ESV)

They are to be dedicated to Christ and doing His work while they are here in this world. As they do, they are recognized by God for the work and “will not be hurt by the second death”, meaning that they will be rewarded with eternal life in heaven when they have left this world.

I am encouraged here with the revelations. I am reminded to “do the work” of Christ each day and suffer through whatever adversity I come across. I may not be in the position where I could be cast into the position of possible death, but that does not mean that I will not be persecuted for my actions that are in line with Christ.

I have been and will continue to be an outsider as to society as my beliefs and actions are not in line with what they see as acceptable. I will not accept things that are contrary to Christ and I will not simply just allow them. I will make known my alignment to Christ and how that alignment impacts the way I lead my life. I will not be afraid to go it alone. I will not be fearful of what others might think. I will be faithful in the work I am doing and that works alignment and following with the plan that God has for me and my life, here in this world and in heaven to come.

What is the approach you take to the path God has for your, fear or faith? Are you playing the game in this world to be accepted by society and avoiding suffrage as you follow Christ? What if you were faithful and not fearful, how would your approach to today be?

“¹⁸There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts our fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears have not been perfected in love.” – 1 John 4:18 (ESV)

The first six words tells us all we need to really know. Fear does not exist in the presence of love. In fact, the next six words tells us why; fear is sent away in the presence of perfect love. Why is it that people will run into burning buildings or place themselves in imminent danger, fear? That would be no. Fear causes us to freeze or run. We do it out of love and that love casts away the fear for ourselves as we take on the work to save others. And where is it that we find perfect love that casts out fear, in God of course.

“⁷Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” – 1 John 4:7-8 (ESV)

God is where I find the love that guides me through the adversity and difficulties in life. I am able to move forward where they may be a bit of apprehension as I cling to the idea that God will only ask me to do the things He knows I will do for Him. Those things may not come out as I plan them, but God’s plan will be realized and He will be brought the glory by my actions that I take out of love for Him and those involved.

In the business world that I am in, the word love is not necessarily a word that evokes the professional, stoic, business individual that is in most of our minds eyes. We tend to think of those that bark out orders and drive by way of fear and manipulation. The reality is that those tactics may work in the short run to get someone moving, when in the long term, it only demonstrates a punishment approach for not “doing as I say” from those in charge.

The more sustainable approach is one that contains the actions of love. That love that demonstrates care and understanding. That love that drives out fear. That love that is found in God.

“¹⁶So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. ¹⁷But the is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in the world.” – 1 John 4:16-17 (ESV)

We are in the world and the world is all around us, but that does not mean that we are of the world. With God abiding in us and we abiding in Him, there is no room for the fear that is in the world as it is cast out by love.

As you are in the world, what fears are holding you back? Are you frozen and apprehensive to move forward out of fear? What if you were to abide in God and accept God’s abiding in you to allow love to cast out the fear?

There will always be those that are out to cause us to suffer. And especially those that see us and having something they do not, like the peace that comes from our life and walk with Christ. I know that it is jealousy and envy that drive them to persecute me as I continue to walk with Christ.

“¹³Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? ¹⁴But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,” – 1 Peter 3:13-14 (ESV)

You see, what fear should I have for doing the work of God. He protects me and guides my every move and therefor the outcome will be in glory of Him. They are coming for me regardless of where I am. I will be attacked and persecuted for doing the work of the LORD in this world.

“¹⁵but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;” – 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

When attacked, which we have determined to be a certainty, we are to be prepared to respond. That response is to be with “a reason for the hope that is in you”. We are to know that we will be persecuted and know the reasons we continue to do the will of God in spite of that persecution. We should know how to respond and in that response have an explanation.

“¹⁵yet do it with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” – 1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV)

I always find it amazing that when you are in an argument with someone, how much they back down and relax when you simply listen and agree with them that there is something to what they are saying. I believe that may be similar to what Peter is writing here. We are to be prepared for the persecution and understand that those persecuting us are just seeking something that the do not have, nor do they understand. When we come to them calmly and with understanding, they will be taken aback and will not know how to respond, thereby being more open to discussion and leading to understanding what it is that Christ gives us that they do not have.

We are to prepare for the persecution that is to come. We should not fear it, but look for it in the interest of know that we have been led to this by God for Him and His glory. Remembering that we may only be tasked with planting the seed of Christ for them to see.

When you are persecuted, what are you looking for in the situation? What is it that you do to “escape” the persecution? What if you were to simply and kindly indicate your understanding and gently begin to speak of the glory of God as opposed to defending your position?

I believe it goes with the territory that we are to Fear God. But the part of the title to my blog this morning is something that I find hard to do, especially in the wake of known transgressions on their part and their aggrandizement of themselves. I am somehow to allow them to “rule” over me when they are less than virtuous in their own actions.

“¹³Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, ¹⁴or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.” – 1 Peter 2:13-14 (ESV)

As noted in the introduction to 1 Peter in my ESV Bible, “The readers of the apostle Peter’s letter were confused and discouraged by the persecution they were encountering because of their faith”. I read the above passage and see that Peter was setting straight the way to act as followers of Christ. He was clear here that as humans of this world, we are held to the ways of the world and should obey the laws of the land and those that make and administer those laws. I also see that we are to treat them with respect and honor of the positions they hold.

“¹⁶Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. ¹⁷Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” – 1 Peter 2:16-17 (ESV)

Peter goes on to lift up the people and give them hope in that they are to continue doing the will of God at every turn, free as Christians to do good. He also reminds them to honor all and fear God.

I am comforted to have this reminder. I do not have to like or agree with all that is brought upon me by those above me in positions of authority. What I do have to do is honor their position and continue doing the Lord’s work everywhere I go. God’s work is above the law of man. When doing the will of God, it may conflict with the law of the land, and if that is so, then I am due the punishments of the land and should accept it as so for I know that the work I have done for God is greater that the work done for man.

“²⁰For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.” – 1 Peter 2:20 (ESV)

Following and doing the will of God is my place in this world. I am to be in tune with His will and perform the work He has designated for me to complete. I do not know where that work will take me or to what extent I will have to perform, but I know that it is my duty to obey and accept the consequences that are realized in this world. I am to fear God, but also submit to the authority of the world knowing that the work I do for God supersedes the world and whatever consequences that yields here, I am to accept and honor.

What drives you in your actions here in this world? Who is it that you are most interested in pleasing? What if you were to fear God above all and yet still honor everyone and submit to authority?

I have been saved by grace and as such am a child of God and under His protection. I must remember that and go with boldness forward for His glory.

“⁶For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on on my hands, ⁷for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV)

I see here that Paul reminds Timothy to go forward and do God’s work, not of or with fear, but with “power and love and self-control”. In my study this morning I reviewed the commentary in my ESV Bible to find that “Boldness, not cowardice, is the mark of the Spirit”. I have to remember to be bold in my going forward. Fear in this context is that of one who “flees from battle, and has a strong pejorative sense referring to cowardice” as noted in my ESV commentary.

All to often I feel an apprehension to move forward with the doing of God’s Work as I am not sure what others may think. My postings here are an example of that. I had been doing my bible study for a couple of years and proactively emailing to a group of people. I was hesitant to be more formal with my study such as publishing a blog like this as I was not sure how it would be received. That fear was exactly what Paul is referring to here with Timothy. I was hesitant out of fear and not being in the Spirit. I came around though and now God has allowed my thoughts to reach people around the globe.

I wonder how often we avoid doing for God out of “fear”. I wonder how many other times in life I could or should have been more in tune with the will of God and missed an opportunity to bring glory to Him out of “fear”. In the Spirit, our actions are protected and signed off on. We have “power and love and self-control” to advance God’s glory when we are in the Spirit.

What have you been avoiding our to fear? Are you sitting waiting and wondering, what if? What if you just went for it in the Spirit, “not of fear but of power and love and self-control”?

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”?

How much out there in the world is corrupt and how much of it are we a part of? I know from experience that it is very easy to get caught up in all that is going on around us and believe that all is well because “everybody is doing it”. If society says it is okay, then it must be okay for me to take part in those activities. Well for us as Christians and members of the temple of the Living God, it is not acceptable and we should be looking to cleanse ourselves in the fear of God.

“¹Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” – 2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)

And just what are those promises:

“¹⁶What agreement has the temple of God with idols? Fore we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ¹⁷Threfore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, ¹⁸and I will be a father to you and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.’” – 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (ESV)

When we are engaged in the clean things, God welcomes us into His presence. Paul tells us here that we will be God’s children when we separate ourselves from those that would corrupt us.

This does not mean that we should not work to bring the gospel to those in society that are working against us. Even Jesus ate and communed with those that would be against Him. But that is where it ends, in the bringing of the gospel to them and to befriend them in such a way to act as they and follow them into the corruption.

We are followers of Christ as as such we have a duty to act accordingly. We should rid ourselves of all that is unclean and act like Jesus. We are to be working for Him and not against Him. As stated in verse 1 of chapter 7 above, we are to be “bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God”. And how do we do that, by following Him and doing the will of God at all times. That conscious effort to do the will of God at all times leaves little room for any of the defilement that may come from the world and society we physically live in.

When you are in the world, where is it that you look for the actions you will take? Are you finding your guidance in society or in the will of the Lord? What if you were to cleanse yourself of all that would be against God and follow Him in “bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God”?

Let me first begin with the verse I was led to this morning.

“²⁸And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” – Matthew 10:28 (ESV)

In the first part of the verse above, Jesus explains who we are not to fear. Those that can and work to destroy us physically. Those that throw the sticks and the stones. Those that are able to bruise our bodies are not those that we should be fearing. Those around us may be able to take monetary things from us and break down our bodies, but their impact is that which can be healed. We can earn more and heal the body and as such, the fear of those that can and will do that kind of harm are simply a nuisance to the life we have as we do the will of God.

Fear should be directed at those that can kill our soul. We should demonstrate fear toward those that can and will control our final existence. We should be concerned with where our final resting (or damnation) place will be. Our fear should be of the one that provides or allows our ending. Our fear should be of God. And when I speak of fear, I speak of the respect and adoration for Him.

I know that it may be difficult for some to understand when I speak of God providing or allowing for our ending. I know that there are those that speak our questioning our God and how He would allow for our ending to be so painful, and frankly, I have asked those questions myself.

Here is what I have found in my study. God wants nothing but the best for each of us. He wants nothing more than for a relationship with me. He desires for me to love and honor Him. And that is where His granting of my free will comes in. God gives me the ability to make decisions that I see fit for me and my family. I have the control of where we are in life. It is that free will where God’s allowances are found. I am free to decide and as such, God allows for my downfall or for the adversity in my life to be present.

I was given opportunities to accept Christ as my savior and was allowed to choose Him. I did. And now as a follower of Christ I am given opportunities to continue doing His will in my life. Understand that it is and always will be a choice. My obedience is a choice and as such God allows for the consequences of my choice to be present. I am not given a free ticket to all I want and desire. I am accountable for the decisions I make.

Those decisions and the consequences of them are where my fear of the LORD come into play. God grants me the freedom to do His will and I am account able to the actions I take in doing so. Those consequences is where my fear should be. Not in the way I am treated by man, but in the way I am looked upon by God. I do not want to disappoint Him, even though I sin each day.

My duty is to do the will of God and fear Him in all that I do. When my fear is directed at Him, I am more likely to follow the path He has for me and when I follow, I bring glory and honor to Him.

Are you in fear of those in the world that may cause you harm? What if you were to accept Christ and follow Him in all that you do in order to bring glory and honor to Him? Who is it that you fear?