The Fear Of God, The Duty Of Man (1)

TEXT: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NLT).

"Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad."

THE FEAR OF GOD IS MAN'S WHOLE DUTY.

King Solomon is adjudged to be one of the wisest and richest men that ever walked the earth. He is the standard people use to weigh wealth and wisdom even today. What was this wise man's conclusion about life? Hear him: "...Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (Eccl 6:13). The most important duty of man is to fear God and obey his commandments. He also said that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10). We should listen to him. God will grant you grace to fear (reverence) and obey him.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEAR GOD?

To fear God means to reverence and be in awe of his holiness, power and majesty. It means to honour God by fully submitting and surrendering to his sovereignty. When the children of Israel experienced God's presence in mount Sanai they trembled with fear (Exo 19:16, 20:18-19).

To fear God also means to refrain from doing evil in obedience to God's commandments. The Hebrew midwives refrained from killing the Israeli male children when King Pharoah commanded them to do so because they feared God (Exo 1:15-17).

To fear God is to acknowledge his sovereign will or power over the affairs of men and nature. The disciples of Jesus were in awe of him when he arose from sleep and commanded a raging storm to cease. Jesus submitted to God's will when it was time for him to die on the cross of calvary. God is greatly to be feared above all other gods (Ps 89:7, 96:4). Do you fear God?

WHY FEAR GOD?

We must fear God because he is the one that created us and sustains our lives. Your life is in his hands, to give or to take. "...The life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being" (Job 12:10).

1 Sam 2:6-7 says further: "The LORD gives both death and life; he brings some down to the grave but raises others up. The LORD makes some poor and others rich; he brings some down and lifts others up."

Another reason we must fear God is that all power belongs to him and he does anything that pleases him. No one can stop him. "What he destroys cannot be rebuilt. When he puts someone in prison, there is no escape" (Job 12:13-14).

He destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone from heaven because of their wickedness (Gen 19:24).

He quenced the life of King Herod for taking the glory that was his alone (Acts 12:21-23).

Jesus, the only begotten Son of God gave a very good reason for us to fear God in Luke 12::4-5: "Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear." Satan can try but has limited powers, but God has unlimited powers. He is the one that has the final say over our lives. Satan can do nothing without God's permission. God is the final judge of man's eternal destiny (Eccl 12:14). Do you fear God?

HOW TO SHOW FEAR OR REVERENCE FOR GOD.

We show our fear or reverence for God when we obey his commandments and do his will. One way to do this is to reject every kind of evil (1 Thess 5:22) and run away from sin.

Another way is to submit wholly to God and resist the devil steadfastly. (James 4:7) Joseph showed his fear for God by fleeing from immorality and submitting himself to God in total obedience. No wonder, he fully achieved God's purpose and plan for his life.

As believers, we display our reverence for God when we love and serve him with all our hearts, mind, soul and strength and also love our neighbours as ourselves (Deut 10:12, Luke 10:27).

We display our fear of God when we submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit and allow him to grow the fruit of the spirit in our hearts. A man who fears God is one whose lifestyle is dictated by the Holy Spirit and characterised by the fruit of the spirit. When we worship and praise God wholeheartedly, we reveal our reverence for him.

CONCLUSION

Remember this saying from a truly wiseman: The whole duty of man is to fear God and obey his commandments