"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Prb. 1:7).

	As young believers, we start out by serving God out of fear, and
to fear is not a bad thing. Fear is what brings about respect and
reverence. I have a fear of heights and yet that fear has a keeping
effect. In the setting up and use of ladders I am very careful, and that
has contributed to my safety. So fear is something that is good to have
if it is the right kind of fear.
	Obedience does not depend upon fear. You can, however, promote
lawlessness by taking away the consequences of actions. Take, for example, 
the American legal system. It has become diluted and watered down to
the point where it has no meaning. Your hand is slapped and away you go.
Even in Christianity we have taken away what God means when He says, "You
reap what you sow." We are always sowing and we are always reaping.
	Another side to being obedient is the one of blessing. I know of
those who claim that God must bless you, that He is obligated to bless you 
if you come up to a standard. Many times the standard is not biblical,
and is legalistic to the extreme. The motivation is wrong in that the fear 
of failure and of not conforming is what drives many to obey. What
motivation of heart must we have when it comes to being obedient?  Is
our motivation to be one of fear?
	In the time of our Lord Jesus Christ, there were many who
promoted the law of God, but not the love of God. They had no personal
relationship with Him, even in their religious zeal. 
	"This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far
from me. Howbeit in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrine the
commandments of men" (Mark 7: 6-7). 
	"Woe unto you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge: 
you entered not in yourselves and them that were entering you
hindered [that is, forbade or prevented]" (Luke 11: 52).
	These are some very harsh words and they were spoken to a people
who did not understand the love of God, for they knew Him only by way of
do’s and don’ts. We are to obey Him because of who He is, not just out of
fear and forced reverence. Let’s look closer at the word "fear". There
are two types of fear that, as believers, we experience.
	1. The fear of God. This is a fear of God’s wrath and judgment.
We learn to fear Him when we read of His awesome power and that our God
is a consuming fire. That is a part of God’s character that brings terror 
and fear.  As sinners we were found destined for judgment and wrath. We
who have believed on Him have learned to fear Him and then to place our
trust in Him.
	2. A fear that motivates and yet is controlled by love. A
question that you might ask is, "How can you both fear and love someone?"
The word "fear" is used several times in the Scriptures in place of
reverence. Reverence, love, and obedience go hand in hand. Reverence must 
be followed by love or the act of obedience becomes nothing but an
action done out of duty. Let me give you an example. 
	A father tells his son to go wash his car. The young man not only
washes the car but cleans the inside and waxes it.  Reverence and
obedience would only bring about a washing of the car, but it was love
that went beyond that. It was the relationship that caused the young man
to go beyond that which he was commanded to do.
	In the opening verse we saw that the fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom. To fear is not taught much today, and many actions
are actions of rebellion with no fear of consequences. We do not fear
Him enough to search out how we may please Him. This is what hinders
many and leads them astray. The call to fear is one that should not be
ignored. Saints, let us learn to fear the Lord, not with a fear that is
born out of duty, but a fear that is born out of love for God, a love that 
would seek to please our Heavenly Father. 

Let us pray:
	Our God and Father, we thank Thee for not only revealing to us
Your mercy and grace, but that, Father, You have revealed unto us the 
consequences of Your wrath and judgment. Teach us to fear, to love, and 
to obey, so that, Father, You will be glorified, and so that men will know
the greatness and the majesty of Your might.  We ask this for Your
name’s sake and in the name of Jesus.   Amen!           M. H. G.