Articles
To Know God
In to letter Paul wrote the Roman church, in the first chapter he mentions a fact that ought to get our attention. Please let me quote that for us to read.
"For even though they knew God, they DID NOT HONOR HIM AS GOD, or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." (Romans 1:21)
There is an often made statement found in many of the books of Divine Scripture that addresses this very issue. THEY DID NOT HONOR HIM AS GOD.
The one I am referring to is "FEAR GOD". To fear God is to RESPECT AND REVERE HIM! Does He not deserve that from all his creation? Many folks do not, I am afraid. So how important is this to us.
This statement is made many times by many inspired writers of both the Old and New Testaments. To know God is different than to know of God.
In Proverbs very near the beginning in chapter one we find this statement: "The FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.' (Proverbs 1:10)
"The FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of wisdom. And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10)
"The FEAR OF THE LORD (reverence) is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility." (Proverbs 15:33)
"The FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; (Psalms 111:10)
God has provided a way for us to know Him, and to be part of His family -- that is found by way of His Son, and the Gospel. (Romans 1:16)
To FEAR GOD IS TO RESPECT HIM. We can do that, as He has made possible, is by listening and obeying His Word. As Jesus has been given ALL AUTHORITY (Matthew 28:18), we have the Truth brought to the Apostles from heaven by His command by way of the Holy Spirit(John 16:13), all we need to know and obey to be in proper relationship with God today. Are we listening?
We are so thankful God has seen fit to preserve that Word for us today by seeing that it survived all these years from early times. We have the New Testament in its entire form, penned by His inspired writers for us to learn today. What a wonderful blessing and demonstration of His love for us.
"All Scripture is inspired by God, and profitable fo teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE ADEQUATE, EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK." (2 Timothy 3:16,17)
We need not have any doubt God has left us without ability to do His will and have His approval. We only need to conform to His plan and be faithful to the end. (Revelation 2:10)
What wonderful blessings He has given us now, and has in His plan for the future. To do that we must FEAR HIM AND DO HIS COMMANDMENTS. We know that means an ongoing process throughout our lives. Let us do as the wise man Solomon said at the end of the book of Ecclesiastics tells us:
"The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, BECAUSE THIS APPLIES TO EVERY PERSON. Because God will bring every act to judgment, EVERYTHING WHICH IS HIDDEN, WHETHER IT IS GOOD OR EVIL." (Ecclesiastes 12:13,14)
Thank you for just a bit of your time today. I trust you will be enlightened by the Scriptures referenced in this short message.
Ross
