Continuing again to expand – that is dig the foundation a little deeper, from the last few days, if you can make the connection. Let’s return again to my favorite – Life Message – topic, The Fear of the Lord and Wisdom. But let’s come from a different angle.
Remember what we are wanting to do is plant seeds that will bear good fruit. To do that we must plant in good soil and cultivate it. This was the job God gave Adam, to “dress” the garden. I’ve heard it explained that this whole Dominion Mandate was for Adam to take what God had given him and work it, be creatively productive with it , and return it back as an offering to God.
If Wisdom is the most important thing for our children to “get” in life, and it is (Pro. 4:7) , then our job as parents is to lead our children to Wisdom. Remember too that Wisdom is personified, it is a person, and that Person is Jesus. Taken one step further, the beginning of Wisdom, or the most important, first part about Wisdom, is the Fear of the Lord (Pro. 9:10). If we can teach our chidlren nothing else, we must teach them the fear of the Lord. For this is the beginning of the most important thing in Life.
Now, it has been said of the Fear of the Lord that,
1) it is an Old Testament concept tied to Law that doesn’t apply to us. Hmm, better go read the New Testment – Heb. 12:28-29: Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. See also: 2 Cor. 7:1, Eph. 5:21, 1 Peter 2:17, Rev. 14:7, Rev. 19:5.
2) it doesn’t really mean fear – it really means respect or awe. Oh really? What do you do with this? Luke 12:4-5: And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. And Mt. 10:28.
No, fearing God is more than just respecting Him, or being amazed at Him, or thinking He has changed since the Old Testament – He’s “nicer” now. Fearing God means knowing that He is not a man that He should lie. That all the promises of God are Yes and Amen; they will all surely come to pass. But not all His promises are wonderful blessings for everyone. He is not to be mocked, saying “Yea, has God said? You will not surely die.” The idea that “it looks good, tastes good, I want it” is not the test for consequences. The enemy will always lie and tell you that you will not get caught. It won’t happen to you. You can get away with it. No one will ever know. But God will not be mocked. Surely, whatsoever you sow, you will reap. He has promised blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. There is great reason to fear Him. He is just. He executes perfect justice. No one ever gets away with anything. He has the final say.
Our children (and of course, first WE) must understand that every choice has consequences. God will see that the consequences are paid, and justice is done. This is not good news to our flesh. The news that we don’t choose a destiny of our own making. That we are not our own God. Many people including children try to justify themselves (look, even Adam and Eve did so), that what they’ve done isn’t really that bad, that they’ve done more good than bad (as if somehow God is weighing deeds on a scale), that others have done far worse. The fear of the Lord is recognizing that when I do wrong, there are negative consequences to be paid – surely, yes and amen (so be it). I will not get away with it – I WILL reap what I sow .
The Good News, the only Good News we have, is that if we are “in Christ” He has already paid the penalty for us. We, all of us – including our children, must be brought to the point of recognizing our true state. And recognizing that God is to be feared. That is NOT where we END, but it is where we must begin. They must know that God is God, and they are not. He may be our Abba (if we are born again of Him), but we do not have Him wrapped around our little finger to manipulate at whim.
I have only touched the tip of this iceburg. Although the fear of the Lord is not the most “fun” thing to teach and learn, it is the solid, deep foundation for everything else that we teach our children. It is the beginning of Wisdom, which is the most important thing in Life.
I will continue this topic next week, Lord willing. Have a blessed Lord’s Day.
